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 EFC/SAI or Cost of Attendance review, email financialaidsupport@ccu.edu to start the process.
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, email financialaidsupport@ccu.edu to start the process.
Deadlines
- Fall Term Deadline: November 1st
- Spring Term Deadline: March 15th