N.J. Admin. Code § 9A:9-2.7
Students, upon request, must provide the Higher Education Student Assistance Authority with documentation including, but not limited to, Internal Revenue Service tax return transcripts and/or State income tax returns for themselves, and in the case of dependent students, for their parents, for verification purposes. In the limited circumstances when students or parents are unable to obtain transcripts from the Internal Revenue Service, the Authority may accept a signed copy of the Federal income tax return. If no tax returns were filed for the year requested, students must provide the Authority with documented proof, received through a Federal or State agency, of taxable and/or untaxed income, including, but not limited to, an IRS tax and wage transcript, receipt of unemployment payments, child support, alimony, welfare payments, Social Security benefits, or at least one benefit from any of the following Federal or State programs: Medicaid, SSI, SNAP, TANF, WorkFirst NJ, General Assistance, cash assistance, housing and rental assistance subsidies, or WIC. Financial data provided on the financial aid form may be verified by the Authority and/or institution through the comparison of information reported on income tax transcripts and returns and other requested documentation. Discrepancies will require the re-evaluation of the student's eligibility. Students, as well as institutions, will be notified if an adjustment in the value of aid is required. If documentation is not received to verify income or resolve discrepancies aid will not be granted.
N.J. Admin. Code § 9A:9-2.7