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Identity

VERIFYING YOUR IDENTITY

Verifying Your Identity for Ivy Tech

To help protect everyone from fraudulent applications students may be asked to verify their identity during the enrollment and financial aid process. During this process, students will be asked to provide a valid government photo identification, as well as a selfie to validate your identity. You have a total of 7 days of receiving the notice (or within 48 hours for the last week before classes start) to complete this process. You will be removed from your classes and you will not receive financial aid until Ivy Tech is able to verify your identity. Additionally, you won't be able to register for classes for future terms until this process is complete.

If you receive an email requesting verification, please upload your documentation using the link in your email, which has been specifically configured for your Ivy Tech record.

Best practices when taking your photos:

  • Use a well-lit room to take your photos, but be mindful of glare
  • Place ID on a flat surface, making sure the entire document is visible
  • Don't hold your documents while photographing
  • Take straight-on photos, not skewed
  • Keep your documents clean and free of smudges 

We recommend using a smartphone or tablet to take your pictures. If you don't have a smartphone or tablet, your local Ivy Tech campus can help you do this in person in the Enrollment Center or Financial Aid office.

Once your documents are uploaded, check your Ivy Tech email, which is where you will receive a response via email. This response may take up to 24 to 48 hours. In some situations, you may be told that your upload could not be verified. This could be due to one of the following reasons:

  • Your picture was skewed and did not show the entire document 
  • Your picture was taken in poor lighting 
  • Your picture was of poor quality or out of focus 
  • Your document was being held when photo was taken  

If your upload is not successful, please try again using the same steps or by going into your local Ivy Tech campus. If you have any questions, contact the Enrollment Center or Financial Aid office of your local Ivy Tech campus.  

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Some responses on your Ivy Tech application or your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) need additional verification before you can receive aid and register for classes.

  • We will only ask for this information through your Ivy Tech email and provide a specific way for you to respond. If you have concerns about this request, you can contact the Enrollment Center or Financial Aid office of your local Ivy Tech campus, and they can confirm your need to verify your identity.

  • If it is more than the week before the start of the semester, you have a total of seven days to verify your identity. 

    If you receive your notification during the week before classes start, you have a total of 48 hours to verify your identity.

    Please note, these durations represent the total time you have to complete this process, and it does not reset with each attempt.

  • No. The federal verification process for FAFSA is a way to confirm that the information on your taxes or other documents matches what  you provided on your FAFSA. This identification verification process is not passed on to Ivy Tech and we may need to independently verify your information.

  • A valid government photo identification is an official document issued by a government agency that includes your photo and personal information. Examples include a driver's license, passport, military ID, or a state-issued ID card.

  • You can retry your upload up to seven times within seven days of receiving your request. Please note, this timeframe is shortened to 48 hours if you are notified the week before classes start. You can also contact your local Ivy Tech campus to complete your verification in person or virtually.

  • If you do not submit your verification, you will be removed from your classes and you will not receive financial aid. Additionally, you won't be able to register for classes for future terms until this process is complete.