Professional Judgment

Federal Law (Section 479A of the Higher Education Act) authorizes Financial Aid Administrators (FAA) to exercise “Professional Judgment” (PJ). With that authority, the College can adjust the information provided on the FAFSA to better reflect the financial need of students and families. It further allows the College to determine if a dependent student should be considered independent.

There are four types of professional judgment.  Please read this entire page to understand each category of professional judgment, supporting documentation needed, and how to initiate a PJ appeal.  Students can initiate a PJ appeal in the following ways:

  • For Dependency Override, students must indicate “Unusual Circumstance” on the FAFSA. No further action is needed if "Unusual Circumstance" was indicated on the FAFSA.
  • For the other three types of PJ and Dependency Override (if the student did not indicate Unusual Circumstance on the FAFSA), students will need to complete the PJ Request form.

Once the PJ Request form is submitted, Financial Aid will contact the student to schedule an appointment to provide guidance and next steps.

Types of Professional Judgment

  1. Dependency Override (cases such as abuse, abandonment, or neglect)
    • This PJ will be performed by the Financial Aid Office when you indicate “Unusual Circumstance” on the FAFSA due to not being able to obtain your parent(s) income.  Pro Education, a third-party servicer that the College uses, will reach out to you requesting the supporting documentation for approving a dependency override.
    • The Department of Education defines this PJ when the student cannot obtain parental information for the FAFSA. This is not for students whose parent(s) refuse to complete the FAFSA but rather when the parent(s) and student are separated due to unusual circumstances (involuntary dissolution of the family).

There are several kinds of documents a student can submit to support the involuntary dissolution of the family. The following are just a few examples. One example of supporting documentation for this appeal is a signed letter from a professional, on official letterhead, that states the dissolution of the family and reasons why. Such professionals can be a doctor, guidance counselor, or clergy. Additional types of support include, but are not limited to police reports and court documents.

  1. Increase to Cost of Attendance is for students who have unusual expenses. This can be related to:
    • Medical conditions
    • Childcare requirements
    • Disabilities

A student applying for this PJ must submit documents supporting these expenses.

  1. Loss of income by student and/or a parent(s) is when there is a significant decrease in the base household income, reported on the FAFSA, which was derived from the applicable tax return. This can occur due to a change in employment status or possibly the loss of an income earner.

Supporting documents for this PJ must reflect:

  • The loss of income from the base year reported on the FAFSA (such as a termination letter) and
  • Documentation that reflects the new income (such as a recent paystub)
  • If unemployed, a document from the Unemployment Office.
  1. More than one student in college is new for 2024-2025. In the past, the Department of Education included more than one in college in its analysis of your household’s ability to pay. This year, we can only adjust the ability to pay if having more than one in college is causing an unusual financial burden.

Supporting documentation for this PJ are:

  • Proof of the other student(s) college registration for the semester being addressed and
  • Documentation from that college that reflects:
    • Total tuition and fees;
    • Total grants and scholarships

Determinations will be based on the financial aid award year, which runs yearly from July 1st to June 30th. While we are only requiring documented support for the first semester to consider approval, appeals and supporting documents will need to be submitted for each subsequent financial aid award year for approval.

Financial Aid cannot take action on PJ appeals until after all supporting documentation has been submitted. Final PJ determinations can take up to two weeks, once all supporting documentation has been reviewed by Financial Aid.  Missing or lack of proper supporting documentation will result in a denial of the PJ appeal. Students will be notified once a final determination is made via their Berkeley College email.

It is important to note that the authority for PJ is intended to be used on a case-by-case basis and not all appeals are approved. Our determination is always based strictly on the situation and the student’s ability to document it. All determinations are final until additional documentation is submitted for review. Not all appeals, even if properly documented, will lead to additional financial aid.

If you need assistance or have any questions, please make an appointment with Financial Aid.

Professional Judgment Questionnaires – To be completed by student after Financial Aid appointment.

  • Dependency Override 
  • Increase to Cost of Attendance
  • Loss of Income
  • More than one student in college