Special Circumstances and Professional Judgment

The University of North Georgia recognizes that changes may be experienced in the financial situation of a household. While the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) determines financial aid eligibility based on data from two years prior, the Professional Judgment process exists to re-evaluate a student’s aid based on certain significant changes.

Questions?

What changes are NOT applicable?
Job loss due to cause or personal choice

Standard living expenses (i.e., utilities, car payments)

Mortgage payments

Personal debt

Bankruptcy

Who is not eligible for a Professional Judgment?
High school dual enrolled students

Graduate students (only eligible for Cost of Attendance adjustments in the form of loans)

Students with a zero EFC, as a zero EFC student is already fully eligible for need based aid

What changes might be applicable?
Change to Expected Family Contribution (EFC)
**NOTE: A change to the EFC could result in a change of eligibility for need-based awards. However, it is NOT guaranteed. Possible changes include:

Loss or change of employment (those due to cause or personal choice are not applicable)

Child Support change

Death of parent or spouse

Excessive medical expenses (must exceed 11% of adjusted gross income)

One-time taxable income (IRA distribution, pension distribution, etc.)

Change to Cost of Attendance (COA)

**NOTE: A change to the COA does not result in a change to need based awards. It simply increases the total budget (known as the COA) which allows for an increase to PLUS and/or private loans only. Possible changes include:

Costs associated with a student’s disability

Childcare expenses for a dependent child of student

One-time purchase of a computer for educational use

One-time cost of professional licensure required for student’s major

How to Apply for Professional Judgement

If you meet one of the significant changes outlined in the Change to Expected Family Contribution (EFC) or the Change to Cost of Attendance (COA) sections above, simply contact your assigned counselor to schedule an appointment. Counselors are assigned based on the campus you attend and can be accessed on the Cost and Aid website.

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