Giving Compass' Take:

• Verification melt is a phenomenon that happens when low-income students do not wish to verify their family's income on financial aid applications for college which prevents them from accessing higher education. 

• What are ways universities can be more transparent in applications to address verification melt? 

• Read about this startup that is helping college students navigate financial aid applications. 

Low-income students are disproportionately asked to verify their family's income during the financial aid application process, and colleges are finding that many never complete the process as a result, Inside Higher Ed reported.

The phenomenon, known as verification melt, prevents low-income students from receiving grants and scholarships that facilitate access to higher education.  According to the National College Access Network, 50% of low-income students are selected for the verification process and 22% of that share — about 90,000 students — won't finish applying for aid as a result. Other data show around 30% of students overall are asked to verify.

Research has found the mystification of college costs and the financial aid process to be associated with lower college enrollment among low-income and minority students. That also has an effect on the type of institutions students apply to. Choosing a two-year or less-selective institution can reduce the likelihood of degree completion.

Policy debates related to revising the federal tax code have renewed discussion on 529 education savings plans that allow families to make post-tax contributions to an account to be used for costs related to obtaining a college education. The funds can be withdrawn tax free as long as they are being used for qualified education expenses. Currently, policy proposals are being made that will allow 529 plans to be used to pay for apprenticeships and student loans.

Read the full article about verification melt by Halona Black at Education Dive