Paying for College

For the 2026-27 award year, a student may be selected for one of three types of verification listed below. You will be required to provide the information under the selected group.

V1– Standard Verification Group:

• Verification worksheet – V1
• Data Retrieval Tool (DRT) or 2024 Tax Return Transcript, if filed
• Non-filers must submit a statement of non-filing, W2 and a Statement of Support.
• Proof of Illinois Residency if filed between October 1 and August 1, 2025

V4– Custom Verification Group:

• Verification worksheet – V4
• Proof of High School completion –Diploma or official transcripts, GED certificate or transcript, transcript showing 2-year program completion or home school credential or transcript.
• Must meet in person or via Zoom to present an official, unexpired government ID. We will verify the ID to the student, and create a photocopy.
• Proof of Illinois Residency if filed between October 1 and August 1, 2025

V5– Aggregate Verification Group:

Verification worksheet – V5

• DRT or 2024 Tax Return Transcript, if filed
• Non-filers must submit a non-filer statement, W2s and a Statement of Support.
• Proof of High School completion – Diploma or official transcripts, GED certificate or transcript, transcript showing 2-year program completion or home school credential or transcript.
• Must meet in person or via Zoom to present an official, unexpired government ID. We will verify the ID to the student, and create a photocopy.
• Proof of Illinois Residency if filed between October 1 and August 1, 2025           

In addition, you may have to verify the following:

• Birth Certificate
• Government ID
• High School Diploma/GED
• High School Transcript, signed with graduation date (Home Schooled)
• Social Security Card
• DD-214
• Default Clearance Letter
• Documentation of Emancipation from the court
• Documentation of Legal Guardianship from the court
• Documentation of Orphan/Ward of Court
• Death Certificates/documentation from the court
• Documentation of Unaccompanied Youth
• Letter from the high school stating the McKinney-Veto Act
• Federal Grant Overpayment Resolution
• Proof of Citizenship
• Birth Certificate, U.S. Passport, or Certificate of Naturalization
• Proof of Selective Service Registration
• Resolution of Over Loan Limits Issue
• Signature Sheet
• 4506T - Statement of Nonfiler from the IRS
• Documentation of SAP for Unusual Enrollment
• Documentation of Untaxed Income

2025-2026 Identity Statement Form

2025-2026 V1 and V5 Dependent Form

2025-2026 V1 and V5 Independent Form

2025-2026 Household Size Form

2025-2026 Asset Verification Form

2025-2026 Dependency Appeal Request Form

2026-2027 V1 and V5 Dependent Form

2026-2027 V1 and V5 Independent Form

2026-2027 Household Size Form

2026-2027 Asset Verification Form

2026-2027 Dependency Appeal Request Form

If you or your family's financial situation has worsened due to a death, separation/ divorce or a loss of a job or benefits, you may meet one of the "Special Circumstances" that will allow financial aid eligibility to be based on prior year or current year gross income rather than actual prior-prior year income information. If you feel you may meet one of these special circumstances, contact the Financial Aid Office.

2025-2026 Special Circumstance Appeal Request Form

2026-2027 Special Circumstance Appeal Request Form

Rend Lake College Financial Aid Office employees are expected to maintain the highest standards of conduct in all aspects of the administration of their duties, specifically including all duties conducted in dealing with any entity involved in any way with financial assistance. This pertains regardless of whether said entities are involved in a government sponsored, subsidized or regulated activity. Any Rend Lake College employee who is either directly involved with financial assistance or indirectly involved with financial assistance should:

• Never take any action for his or her personal gain or benefit.
• Never take any action that he or she believes is or might be contrary to law, regulation or the best interests of the students and parents we serve.
• In every circumstance ensure that the information given to students and parents is accurate and unbiased and does not reflect any preference arising from actual or potential personal or institutional gain.
• In every instance be objective in making decisions and advising the college regarding any institution involved in any aspect of student financial assistance.
• Never solicit or accept anything from an entity involved in the making, holding, consolidating or processing of any student loans, including anything of value, including reimbursement of expenses for serving on an advisory board or as part of a training activity of or sponsored by any such entity.
• Always disclose to the college any involvement with or interest in any entity involved in any aspect of financial aid.

• Be committed to removing financial barriers for those who wish to pursue postsecondary learning.
• Make every effort to assist students with financial need.
• Be aware of the issues affecting students and advocate their interests at the institutional, state, and federal levels.
• Support efforts to encourage students, as early as the elementary grades, to aspire to and plan for education beyond high school.
• Educate students and families through quality consumer information.
• Respect the dignity and protect the privacy of students and ensure the confidentiality of student records and personal circumstances.
• Ensure equity by applying all need analysis formulas consistently across the institution’s full population of student financial aid applicants.
• Provide services that do not discriminate on the basis of race, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, religion, disability, age or economic status.
• Recognize the need for professional development and continuing education opportunities.
• Promote the free expression of ideas and opinions, and foster respect for diverse viewpoints within the profession.
• Commit to the highest level of ethical behavior and refrain from conflict of interest or the perception thereof.
• Maintain the highest level of professionalism, reflecting a commitment to the goals of the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators.

Please note, employees of Rend Lake College cannot offer tax advice. Students with questions about their 1098-T form or tax benefits are strongly encouraged to consult a qualified tax advisor.

Q. Why did I receive a 1098-T form from Rend Lake College?

The 1098-T form is a Tuition Statement that Rend Lake College provides to help you—or whoever claims you as a dependent—determine if you are eligible for federal education tax credits. This form exists because the IRS requires colleges to report "qualified tuition and related expenses" paid during the calendar year, which can be used to claim the American Opportunity Tax Credit or the Lifetime Learning Credit on a federal tax return. Essentially, the 1098-T serves as official documentation of your educational expenses so you can potentially reduce the amount of tax you owe or increase your refund.

Q. What am I supposed to do with my form 1098-T?

You should keep the 1098-T for your records and share it with your tax preparer—or your parents, if they claim you as a dependent—when filing your federal income tax return. The form is used to determine if you qualify for education-related tax credits that could reduce the amount of tax you owe or increase your refund. You do not need to mail the form to the IRS, but you should save a copy as part of your permanent tax records.

Q. What are “qualified tuition and related expenses”?

According to the IRS, “Qualified tuition and related expenses are tuition, fees, and course materials required for a student to be enrolled at or attend an eligible educational institution.” (www.irs.gov)

Q. The amount of money I paid to Rend Lake College does not match the information on the 1098-T. Why?

The amount reported in Box 1 of your 1098-T may not match your total payments because the IRS only allows the college to report "Qualified Tuition and Related Expenses," which excludes costs like extra books or supplies. Additionally, the form is based strictly on the calendar year (January 1 through December 31). If you made a payment in December for a spring semester that begins in January, or if you paid off a previous year’s balance during the current year, those totals will be reflected in the year the payment was actually received by the college, rather than the year the classes were taken.

Q. If I paid more in tuition and fees than what is reflected in box 1, can I claim more on my taxes?

We cannot offer tax advice. We encourage you to contact a qualified tax advisor.

Q. Can you explain to me how the amount in box 1 was calculated?

The amount in Box 1 represents the total payments received by the college for "qualified tuition and related expenses" during the calendar year, but this amount is capped by the total charges billed for those same expenses within that same year. Because of this IRS requirement, if you made a payment in one calendar year for a charge that was actually assessed in the previous year, that payment will not be included in your current Box 1. This calculation follows specific federal regulations that Rend Lake College is required to use to ensure your tax reporting is accurate.

Q. Can I access my 1098-T online?

Yes, you can easily access your form by signing into the Student Self-Service portal, Colleague-Self Service Ellucian Student Application. Once logged in, locate and click on the Tax Information tile. You will need to provide consent to receive your form electronically; once that is completed, your 1098-T will be available for you to view and download immediately.

If you have additional questions, please contact the Rend Lake College Business Office at (618) 437-5321 x1235, or email businessoffice@rlc.edu.