Professional Judgement
Federal regulations allow limited exceptions or adjustments to information reported on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Students/parents may appeal to the Financial Aid Office with “special” or “unusual” circumstances that differentiate their situation from information reported on the student’s FAFSA.
Based on Federal statute, any decision/adjustment made is at the sole discretion of the Financial Aid Office and cannot be appealed beyond the Financial Aid Office. Documentation will be maintained on the student’s file for at least three years after the end of their enrollment, along with documentation of the Professional Judgement decision.
Categories of Potential Changes based on Professional Judgments
Special Circumstances are adjustments reflecting financial changes affecting the student/parent. These adjustments can be made to data elements used in calculating the EFC (Expected Family Contribution) or beginning in 2024-2025, the SAI (Student Aid Index). Financial adjustments might also be made to the components of the student’s Cost of Attendance budget for financial aid purposes.
Unusual Circumstances adjustments made to the student’s dependency status for financial aid purposes based on a unique situation that differentiates the student from the regulatory bases for dependency determined through standard FAFSA questions.
Special Circumstances to be considered (Financial)
Adjustments to Components Used to Calculate EFC or SAI
- Reduced income: adjustments to data elements used to calculate the EFC or SAI based on an income or earnings reduction compared to the calendar-year reported on the FAFSA, due to circumstances including the following:
- Change in employment
- Reduction in untaxed income, such as child support
- Divorce/separation of parent or student
- Death of parent or student’s spouse
- Permanent and total disability of parent or student’s spouse
- Other changes in income
Reduced income must be reported for the actual prior-calendar year or projected current calendar year (with no more than six months of projected income), whichever is more applicable to the prevailing situation. Third-party documentation must be uploaded to support the data provided on the form.
- Incurred expenses: adjustments to data elements used to calculate the EFC or SAI where certain expenses existed during the calendar year on which the FAFSA is based which are not captured by questions on the FAFSA, such as:
- Tuition expenses at an elementary or secondary school
- Unusual out-of-pocket medical or dental expenses not covered by insurance
A letter of explanation with itemization of these expenses, accompanied by third-party documentation, will need to be securely uploaded to be considered.
Cost of Attendance Budget Increases
In circumstances in which the student can document that the standard cost of attendance budget does not accurately reflect their necessary expenses, a student may appeal for an increase in their budget for reasons including the following:
- Documented higher living expenses than represented by the average housing and meal allowance
- Documented exceptional costs for books, supplies, or miscellaneous personal expenses
In cases where a component in the budget is not sufficient, the student must submit a written, signed request detailing their total expenses, along with third-party documentation of costs. In these cases, the entire budget will be reviewed.
Unusual Circumstances to be considered (Dependency)
The 2023-2024 FAFSA has 13 questions to determine dependency, based on congressional law. If a student cannot answer “yes” to any of these questions, the student is considered dependent for financial aid purposes, and parental information is required on the FAFSA.
Within professional judgment, potential adjustments to dependency may be considered based on a student’s unique situation. The Financial Aid Office considers exceptions to the FAFSA basis for dependency to be in situations where a student’s physical/mental wellbeing was or is threatened/jeopardized if the student remains with their parent(s) or in cases where the parent physically/emotionally abandoned their child.
The student must write a letter explaining their circumstance, which must be substantiated by two signed letters from non-related third parties who know the student’s situation, such as a teacher, counselor, medical authority, member of the clergy, prison administrator, government agency, or court official.
A dependency override will remain in effect for the duration of the student’s enrollment at Aspen University unless the student informs about a change, or the Financial Aid Office has evidence of conflicting information.
Timeline
When all documentation has been submitted, the appeal will be reviewed within 1-2 weeks, but never later than 60 days after the student enrolls. After the review is complete, the student will be notified about the decisions as well as any adjustments to their financial aid package. All decisions are final.