Professional judgment

Financial Aid & Scholarships

Professional Judgment is the authority granted to institutions under The Higher Education Act of 1965 (HEA), as amended [20 USC 1087TT], which provides the authority for the financial aid administrator (FAA) to exercise discretion in several areas when a student has experienced special or unusual circumstances. Professional judgment decisions must be made case-by-case by examining a student's unique circumstances. All professional judgment changes apply only to data element changes and apply to all Title IV programs.

Special vs Unusual

The FAFSA Simplification Act distinguishes between different categories of professional judgement by amending section 479A of the HEA

Special Circumstances refer to finanical situations that justify an FAA adjusting data elements in the Cost of Attendance or the SAI calculation (Cost of Attendance Review Request or Special Circumstances Request).

Unusual Circumstances refer to the conditions that justify an FAA adjusting a student's dependency status based on a unique situation more commonly referred to as a dependency override. 

A student may have both a special circumstance and an unusual circumstance. Financial Aid Administrators (FAAs) may adjust each student's situation appropriately with appropriate documentation.

What Does This Mean For Me?

If you believe your financial aid offer does not reflect your current circumstances, please review the appeal information below and contact our office by emailing finaid.advisor@ttu.edu! 

Appeals For Additional Eligibility:

• Special Circumstances Request
  • The primary reason for a special circumstances is to make qualifying adjustments to the family adjusted gross income which may lower a student's Student Aid Index (SAI).
  • In some instances, this adjustment will assist in qualifying the studentfor federal grant funding. If the student's SAI is already 0 (zero), there is no reason to submita Special Circumstance.
  • Qualifying reasons include, but may not be limited to:
    • Loss of employment
    • Separation or divorce
    • Loss of child support
    • Medical
    • Death of a spouse or parent (changes can only be made if income of the deceased was included on the FAFSA)
  • Click here to learn more about Special Circumstances.

 

• Cost of Attendance Review Request
  • Estimated cost of attendance (budget) is used to determine your financial aid eligibility for a specific period of enrollment and includes estimated amounts for tuition, mandatory fees, as well as average amounts for standard educational expenses such as housing, meals, books, supplies, transportation, and other personal/miscellaneous expenses. 
  • If your actual education-related expenses are higher than the estimated cost of attendance used to calculate your financial aid eligibility, you may request a review of your cost of attendance. Cost of attendance increases are considered on a case-by-case basis and are subject to federal, state, and institutional regulations. 
  • The cost of attendance committee also considers the reasonableness of the request in conjunction with current indebtedness, as the COARR process only allows for an increase in loan funding.
  • Click here to learn more about Cost of Attendance Review.

 

• Dependency Change Request
  • Generally, undergraduate students are considered dependents of their legal (biological, adoptive, or otherwise determined by the state) parent(s) for the purposes of calculating financial aid eligibility (federal, state, and institutional) and parental information must be provided on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). An undergraduate student's dependency status for tax filing purposes is not necessarily reflective of their dependency status for financial aid.
  • Under very limited circumstances, undergraduate students may qualify to have a change made to their dependency status for the purpose of determining financial aid eligibility. Documented cases of abuse, neglect, incarceration, abandonment by the parents, etc. will be considered. Students should submit the Dependency Change Request along with supporting documentation to Student Financial Aid & Scholarships.
  • The following will NOT be considered valid reasons for a dependency change:
    • Parent's refusal to pay for college
    • Parent's refusal to provide information for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
    • Parent's inability to claim student as a dependent for income tax purposes
    • Student's ability to demonstrate self-sufficiency
  • In addition, students who can answer “yes” to any of the following questions are considered independent of their parents for the purposes of calculating financial aid:
    • 24 years of age (or older)
    • Married
    • Pursuing a Master's or Doctorate Degree
    • active duty military
    • Veteran
    • Support dependent children
    • Support dependent(s) (other than children or spouse) who live with you
    • In foster care, orphan (both parents deceased), or dependent or ward of the court prior to age 13
    • Emancipated minor (as determined by court in state of legal residence)
    • In legal guardianship (as determined by court in state of legal residence)
    • In the last year, determined to be unaccompanied youth who is homeless or self-supporting and at risk of becoming homeless
  • Click here to learn more about Dependency Change

Have Questions? 

Our goal is to make obtaining a college degree within reach by supporting you with financial aid and scholarships programs. As a student, please know that you and your family have a dedicated financial aid advisor who can assist you with this process.