For need-based federal aid programs, the financial aid administrator can adjust the EFC, adjust the COA, or change the dependency status (with documentation) when extenuating circumstances exist. For example, if a parent becomes unemployed, disabled, or deceased, the FAA can decide to use estimated income information for the award year instead of the actual income figures from the base year. This delegation of authority from the federal government to the financial aid administrator is called Professional Judgment (PJ).
A rule that allows the Financial Aid Officer to make a personal decision to adjust the Expected Family Contribution, based upon unique or special circumstances, to allow a more accurate assessment of the family's financial condition.
Financial aid administrators can adjust a student’s aid package and contribution when extenuating circumstances exist (e.g., a deceased parent). Contact the Financial Aid and Scholarship Office.
Aid administrator discretion, based on special circumstances of the student, to change data elements used in determining eligibility for federal student aid.
The authority that allows financial aid administrators to treat a student individually when the student has special circumstances that are not sufficiently addressed by a standard approach.
For need-based federal aid programs, financial aid administrators can adjust the expected family contribution (EFC), or the cost of attendance (COA), or change the dependency status (with documentation) when extenuating circumstances exist (for example, if a parent becomes unemployed, disabled or deceased).
In cases where extenuating family financial circumstances exist and the FAFSA results do not reflect a true picture of the parents' contribution, a Financial Aid Officer may be able to make an adjustment with documentation from the student and parents.
The financial aid administrator's ability to make changes or adjustments to a student's financial aid package based on extenuating circumstances.
When a financial aid administrator adjusts the EFC, COA, or dependency status of a student or a family. It typically occurs in the event of extreme changes in the student's personal situation, such as a death in the family, unemployment, disability, etc.
While the method for determining student's need for federal student aid is defined in the law, the law does allow the financial aid counselor to use his/her professional judgment. Professional judgment can be used in three areas: the aid counselor can choose to override the student's dependency status to make the student independent; the counselor can adjust the components of the student's cost of attendance; and the counselor can adjust the elements used to calculate the student's Expected Family Contribution. These adjustments must be made on a case-by-case basis, and the reasons for the adjustment must be documented in the student's file.
The legal authority of financial aid administrators to change a calculated Expected Family Contribution or any of the elements used in the calculation based on additional information or individual circumstances that would lead to a more accurate assessment of a family's financial condition.
The flexibility given to a financial aid administrator to make adjustments to student eligibility on a case-by-case basis.
Financial aid administrator discretion, based on the special circumstances of a student, to change data elements used in determining financial aid eligibility for a student attending a postsecondary educational institution.
In some federal aid programs the FAA can override the amount of aid granted when extenuating circumstances exist.
used by financial aid administrators to make adjustments to award packages based on extenuating circumstances (i.e. loss of job, death of parent). Proper documentation is required.
While the method for determining the student's need for federal student aid is defined in the law, it does give the financial aid administrator the flexibility to make individual adjustments based on the administrator's professional judgment. Professional judgment can be used in three areas. The aid administrator can choose to override the student's dependency status to make the student independent, can adjust the components of the student's costs of attendance, and can adjust the data elements used to calculate the student's Expected Family Contribution. These adjustments must be made on a case-by-case basis, and the reasons for the adjustment must be documented in the student's file.