Special or Unusual Circumstances
Professional Judgement is the process of reviewing an individual student's unique circumstances and exercising the option to change the data elements normally applied through the Department of Education Federal Methodology (FM) formula on the FAFSA application that helps compute a student’s family contribution. Professional judgment changes are made when the financial aid administrator judges the standards used to determine the family contribution are inappropriate for purposes of calculating eligibility for financial aid due to extenuating circumstances.
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Special Circumstances refer to the financial situations (loss of a job, etc.) that justify an aid administrator adjusting data elements in the COA or in the SAI calculation.
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Unusual Circumstances refer to the conditions that justify an aid administrator making an adjustment to a student’s dependency status based on a unique situation (e.g., human trafficking, refugee or asylee status, parental abandonment, incarceration), more commonly referred to as a dependency override.
Potential Reasons for exercise of Professional Judgment
Students submitting requests to have their dependency status changed from dependent to independent are required to submit documentation that clearly indicates extenuating circumstances with the students and parental relationship. Students who were raised by family members other than their parents would also be considered for a dependency override. Documentation must be verifiable. Support letters should come from “independent” sources not associated with the student—such as a counselor, teacher, medical professional, social worker, or religious leader. All documentation needs to have contact information from the individual writing the letter—including their address and phone number(s).
Unusual Circumstances Include:
- 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.
Unusual Circumstances Do Not Include:
- 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.
- A student demonstrates total self-sufficiency
Contact the Financial Aid Office if there has been a significant change in your or your parent(s) income since the income year you reported on your financial aid application. You may appeal to have your financial aid eligibility re-evaluated. If the Financial Aid Office approves your appeal, corrections will be made that may result in an increase in your Pell Grant award.
- Loss of Employment
- Job Change
- Reduction in work hours
- Discharge from Active Duty
- Loss of benefits
- Unexpected medical expenses
- Parent passing away(if dependent)
- Retirement/early withdrawal of retirement
- Divorce
Students should avoid updating income or asset information to reflect changes to their family's financial situation if those changes took place after the FAFSA or Dream Act Application was filed. If you make corrections, it can delay the process.
You may request an appeal of your cost of attendance if you incur educational expenses that exceed our standard cost of attendance or budget. If approved, increasing your cost of attendance may increase your eligibility for federal or private loans or other outside resources.
Students may qualify for a Cost of Attendance appeal if they experience unplanned or higher costs:
- A personal computer for school
- If you are a student parent with additional household costs
- Living expenses (food and housing) beyond your estimated cost of attendance
- Auto repairs expenses for your vehicle
- Other expenses
Cost of Attendance Adjustment Methodology for Student Parents
|
Cost Category |
On-Campus Methodology | Off-Campus Methodology |
|---|---|---|
| Dependent Care Allowance | Actual cost of on-campus childcare center rates per dependent child by age. May also include food, housing, transportation, and other actual expenses expected to be incurred for dependent care during periods that include, but are not limited to, class time, study time, fieldwork, internships, and commuting time for the student. The allowance amount should be based on the number and ages of the student’s dependents. | California Department of Social Services (CDSS) county-specific reimbursement rates. May also include food, housing, transportation, and other actual costs expected to be incurred for dependent care during periods that include, but are not limited to, class time, study time, fieldwork, internships, and commuting time for the student. The allowance amount should be based on the number and ages of the student’s dependents. |
| Food | Actual cost of campus meal plan. | U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) food plan. Recommended for use at least at the moderate or liberal level. |
|
Housing |
Actual cost of on-campus family housing, including all utilities and internet | U.S. Housing and Urban Development (HUD) fair market rent (FMR), for an apartment in the metropolitan area or county where the campus is located. Setting a minimum at the two-bedroom rate and increase as deemed appropriate for students with more than one dependent child. AND Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Consumer Expenditure Survey data for California for electricity, water, gas, trash service, and monthly internet service rates by country from Broadband Now. |
| Transportation | Transportation costs from the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC) Student Expenses Budget. | Transportation costs from the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC) Student Expenses Budget. |
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?
If you believe you might be experiencing an extenuating circumstance please contact the Financial Aid office to speak with a staff member. Once you submit the appeal and provide documentation to the Financial Aid Office, we will evaluate your documentation and situation. If approved, the Financial Aid Office will make the necessary corrections to reflect the change. If the change results in an increase in your financial aid, awards will be adjusted and funds will be disbursed to you.
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