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As we prepare for Academic Year 2026–27, the Office of Higher Education will share confirmed policy updates that will take effect in the upcoming year. Providing this information in advance is intended to support timely review and allow institutions to plan and prepare for implementation.
Identity Verification
If a student is selected for identity verification, this process must be completed before any State financial aid can be awarded (including programs that only require a submitted FAFSA). This requirement is in accordance with Federal Student Aid’s Electronic Announcement: APP-25-16.
NEW 2026-27: If a student has a FAFSA with Reject Codes 74 or 75, the student will be ineligible for all State financial aid programs (unless the institution has successfully verified the student’s identity). This guidance is in accordance with Federal Student Aid’s Electronic Announcement: APP-26-03.
Note: These identity verification requirements do not apply to the Michigan Indian Tuition Waiver (MITW).
MiSSG Implementation
Short-Term Solution
Coming Soon: All 2026-27 ISIRs will be evaluated for Reject Codes 74 and 75. If either reject code is present on a student's record, the Office of Higher Education will apply an administrative override and the student's eligibility status will be updated to "Ineligible – Administrative Override." Institutions are encouraged to monitor eligibility reports and contact students as needed.
If the institution successfully completes identity verification and submits a FAFSA correction, the institution must also notify the Office of Higher Education to request removal of the administrative override.
Long-Term Solution
The Office of Higher Education is working with its vendor to implement an automated solution that will evaluate 2026-27 and future ISIRs for Reject Codes 74 and 75. When either reject code is identified, MiSSG will automatically assign the eligibility status "Ineligible – Identity Verification Required – Reject Code 74 or 75."
Once the institution successfully completes identity verification and submits a FAFSA correction, a new ISIR will be loaded into MiSSG and the student's eligibility status will be reevaluated and updated accordingly.
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