Professional Judgment

Professional Judgements

Financial Aid Administrators have the authority to take into consideration unique family circumstances not reflected on the application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Students with special circumstances or unusual circumstances can request a Professional Judgement (PJ) and a Financial Aid Administrator may use PJ on a case-by-case basis to adjust the following:

• Student's Cost of Attendance
• FAFSA Data Elements used to calculate the Student's Expected Family Contribution (EFC)/Student Aid Index (SAI)
• Student's Dependency Status

The 2024-2025 FAFSA requires 2022 tax information. The 2025-2026 FAFSA requires 2023 tax information. The Department of Education recognizes that many people may experience a change in their financial situations between that time and when they are actually attending school and that the information reported on the FAFSA may not accurately reflect a student's current ability to pay.  If this situation applies to you and your family, please contact the Financial Aid Office to inquire about a Professional Judgement (PJ).

Professional Judgement Request Deadlines:

Professional Judgement (PJ) requests will not be accepted after classes have ceased for the Academic Year OR after the student has ceased enrollment.

A PJ request does not guarantee approval or an increase or change in aid eligibility.

Special Circumstances PJ - FAFSA Data Elements

Special Circumstances for which a student may request a PJ to adjust FAFSA data elements may include but are not limited to:

• Loss of income for student and/or spouse due to divorce, death, change or loss of employment or disability
• Student’s change in marital status after original FAFSA was signed and submitted
• Loss of income for parent(s) due to divorce, death, change or loss of employment or disability
• Lump sum distribution or non-recurring income that inflates adjusted gross income
• Major medical expenses not covered by insurance, already paid out-of-pocket
• Tuition payments made for elementary/secondary school costs for young sibling
• Child Support Received that has decreased or ended
• Parent attending college at least half time in an eligible program

Students requesting a Special Circumstances PJ to adjust FAFSA data elements must provide the following documentation:

• Request for Special Circumstances PJ form
• Detailed letter of appeal explaining their special circumstances and reason for appeal
• The required documentation listed for each item the student selected on the Request form

Special Circumstances PJ - Cost of Attendance

Special Circumstances for which a student may request a PJ to adjust to the Cost of Attendance based on additional or extra charges for the items listed:

• Course Fees, Books, Course Materials, Supplies, and Equipment
• Food & Housing
• Computer Purchase
• Transportation
• Dependent Care
• Miscellaneous Expenses

Students requesting a Special Circumstances PJ to adjust Cost of Attendance must provide the following documentation:

• Cost of Attendance Adjustment Request Form
• Detailed letter explaining the specific cost(s) that are above average
• Supporting documentation as outlined on request form

Unusual Circumstances PJ - Change in Dependency Status 

Unusual Circumstances for which a student may request a PJ to adjust the student’s dependency status:

• A student has been involuntarily removed from the parents’ home and support.
• The student has resided with and been supported by someone other than their parent(s) — the timeframe will depend on the situation. Typically this applies to students who have “always” lived with a relative who was not technically designated as a legal guardian.
• The student is not receiving support from either parent, there is little to no communication with either parent and there has been instances of abuse or abandonment that led to the prolonged alienation of the student from the parent.

Students requesting an Unusual Circumstances PJ to adjust student's dependency status must provide the following documentation:

• Unusual Circumstances PJ Request Form
• A letter explaining the student’s circumstances and the current living situation
• A letter from the student’s teacher, counselor, medical professional, social worker, or clergy who can verify the student’s situation - Please ask the Financial Aid Director if you are unsure of what documentation to provide.
• Court documentation or police reports if applicable.

Beginning with the 24-25 Award Year, CCCC will presume that any student who obtained a dependency override due to an Unusual Circumstances PJ to be independent for each subsequent award year unless the student informs the Financial Aid Office that their Unusual Circumstances have changed or if the school receives conflicting information regarding the students independence status.

Cloud County Community College follows federal guidelines which state that aid administrators cannot use Professional Judgment to consider a student Independent solely on the basis of the student being “self supporting”, not living with their parent(s), and/or taxes being independently filed from their parent(s)/not claimed on a parent's tax return.

In a case of a parent(s) refusing to provide their information for a student's FAFSA (without a situation of abuse/neglect/abandonment being present that would qualify for a Professional Judgement for Unusual Circumstances), the student may be eligible to receive ONLY Unsubsidized Loans by providing sufficient documentation.

If you are unsure about whether or not your circumstances qualify for a Professional Judgement or have questions regarding your Dependency Status, please contact the Director of Financial Aid at 785-243-1435 ext. 283 or cstensaas@cloud.edu.

The following circumstances make a student Independent on the FAFSA and do not require a Professional Judgement Request but may require you to provide additional documentation for verification:

• Legal Guardianship - Up until age 18
• Ward of the Court (DCF Custody/Foster Care) - Specifically at age 13 or older
• Homelessness or At Risk of Homelessness - Please talk to the Financial Aid Director if you believe you may fall into this category
• Emancipated Minor
• Both Parents are Deceased

The Financial Aid Director reserves the right to make exceptions to this policy in extreme situations.

For further information on Professional Judgments and Change in Dependency Status, you can view the CCCC Financial Aid Professional Judgement Policy:

24-25 Professional Judgement Policy