Is It Conflicting Information If a Dependent Student's Parent's Family Size Changes After Filing the FAFSA But Before Verification?

No. Family size is an item that is allowed to be updated at the time of verification. Family size can change between filing the FAFSA and completing verification. Because this question is answered at two separate times (FAFSA completion, then verification completion), the most recent reporting can be considered accurate. A discrepancy between the FAFSA and reported family size is not considered, on its own, to be a conflict.

Please see the discussion of "Updating Information" in Chapter 4 of the Application and Verification Guide volume of the FSA Handbook. If the student has been selected for verification (even on a subsequent transaction), you must update family size to be correct as of the date you complete verification. The completed verification worksheet is sufficient for making these updates.

Note: Verification worksheets do not cause conflicting information. You can accept the verification worksheet unless there is something else in the student’s file indicating that family size was misreported. According to guidance NASFAA has received from the U.S. Department of Education (ED), verification worksheets are correcting documents and, as such, constitute resolution of the process, not the basis for conflicting information.

Student Aid Reference Desk: For additional information, try the Student Aid Reference Desk. It is a central hub of all the important financial aid resources you need with direct links to legislation, regulation, Dear Colleague Letters, and other ED and NASFAA references. It is updated on a rolling basis with the latest news and changes. Search Verification.