Professional Judgment is a process by which Student Financial Services can review and adjust a student’s Expected Family Contribution (EFC/SAI) to better reflect the student’s ability to pay for their education. This determination is performed on a case-by-case basis. Additional documentation will be required for any review.
Special Circumstances
Cost of Attendance Adjustment: this process increases a student’s financial aid budget to allow for more financial aid eligibility due to increased expenses.
Expected Family Contribution Adjustment: this process evaluates a student’s current financial situation and decreases the EFC/SAI allowing for more Need-based financial aid eligibility.
Eligibility for a Special Circumstances profession judgment can include but is not limited to:
- Change in employment status, income, or assets;
- Change in housing status (e.g., homelessness);
- Tuition expenses at an elementary or secondary school;
- Additional family members enrolled in college;
- Medical, dental, or nursing home expenses not covered by insurance;
- Child or dependent care expenses;
- Severe disability of the student or other member of the student’s household
- Other changes or adjustments that impact the student’s costs or ability to pay for college.
If you feel your situation warrants an SAI or Cost of Attendance review, please complete this form.
Unusual Circumstances
Dependency Status Review: this process evaluates a student’s current situation to change the student’s dependency status from dependent to independent.
Eligibility for a Unusual Circumstances profession judgment can include but is not limited to:
- Human trafficking, as described in the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000 (22 U.S.C. 7101 et seq.);
- Legally granted refugee or asylum status;
- Parental abandonment or estrangement
- Student or parental incarceration.
However, none of the following conditions (in any combination) qualify as unusual circumstances:
- Parents refuse to contribute to the student’s education.
- Parents will not provide information for the FAFSA or verification.
- Parents do not claim the student as a dependent for income tax purposes.
- Student demonstrates total self-sufficiency.
If you feel your situation warrants an unusual circumstances review, please complete this form.
Deadlines
- Fall Term Deadline: November 1st
- Spring Term Deadline: March 15th