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Professional Judgment

Professional Judgment. Charting the course. Professional Judgment - Definition. A Financial Aid Officers discretion to adjust a student’s reported information to account for special circumstances. 2 . Where the Law Allows PJ:. Dependant to Independent Student Status Calculation of EFC

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Professional Judgment

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  1. Professional Judgment Charting the course

  2. Professional Judgment - Definition • A Financial Aid Officers discretion to adjust a student’s reported information to account for special circumstances 2.

  3. Where the Law Allows PJ: • Dependant to Independent Student Status • Calculation of EFC • Calculation of Cost of Attendance • Determination of Satisfactory Academic Progress • Denial / Reduction of FFEL (Direct Loan) eligibility

  4. Where the Law Does NOT Allow PJ: To directly adjust EFCTo change the Federal Methodology To override independent to dependent status

  5. Basic Rules of PJ • Case by case basis only for special circumstances • Valid only at school making decision • Students approval not needed • Must be documented • Cannot be used to discriminate against protected class • Submitted via paper or FAA Access or CPS Online 5.

  6. Special Circumstances • Special Condition:Use the current, not base year, income • loss of employment / retirement / disability • separation or divorce • natural disaster • death of a parent or spouse 6.

  7. Is it Reasonable? • “Unreasonable” Judgments…..based upon reoccurring costs. • Vacation Expenses • Tithing expenses • Utilities • Credit Cards • Children’s allowances 7.

  8. Is it already considered? • Income Protection Allowance (IPA) • 30% Food • 22% Housing • 9% Transportation • 16% Clothing and personal care • 11% Medical care • 12% Consumer consumption

  9. Dependency Overrides • Changing a dependant student to independent status • Can be used in abusive, or other extreme situations • Cannot be used in cases of: • Parents refuse to contribute to the student’s education; • Parents are unwilling to provide information on the FAFSA or for verification; • Parents do not claim the student as a dependent for income tax purposes; • Student demonstrates total self-sufficiency. 9.

  10. Parent Refuses To Fill Out FAFSA • Student are not considered independent • No need based aid allowed – unsub Stafford only • Not a dependency override • Documentation needed (social worker, etc..) • Student still submits FAFSA, school must receive rejected form • If school decides no unsub, FAFSA must be resubmitted with parent info 10.

  11. 5 Step Process • Get the facts • Know your limitations • Predict the possible outcomes • Make a decision • Documentation

  12. Professional Judgment Hypothetical

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