In which scenario does DHS perform a secondary match for a student's status?

The correct choice involves the situation when the primary match cannot verify the student's noncitizen status. In this context, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) conducts a secondary match to further assess the individual's eligibility based on their immigration status. This secondary verification process is critical for confirming the information provided by the student, particularly in instances where the initial primary match results are inconclusive or ambiguous regarding their noncitizen status.

This secondary matching process ensures that students who may have valid immigration documentation can still be considered for federal financial aid, which is essential for many students pursuing higher education. The importance of this verification lies in the federal regulations that require institutions to ascertain students' citizenship or eligible noncitizen status accurately, ensuring compliance with funding eligibility requirements.

Other scenarios mentioned, such as not providing an A number on the FAFSA, not applying for financial aid, or confirming citizenship through a Social Security check, do not pertain to the need for a secondary match for verifying noncitizen status. Instead, they involve different aspects of the student eligibility process. Not providing an A number means the FAFSA could not be matched initially, and simply having Social Security verification typically pertains to citizenship rather than determining noncitizen status.