I've done a lot of pondering since my last post, mainly because distance education student budgets (also called "cost of attendance") can vary between colleges. This doesn't mean that Professional Judgment can't be used, but not all situations may apply for students enrolled in distance learning courses. That said, I still encourage you to contact your financial aid office if you have any special circumstances.
I could go into great detail about each of these special circumstances I'm listing tonight, but that would make this blog extremely long. Instead, I will list the most common circumstances and provide a brief explanation.
The 1998 Higher Education Reauthorization Act acknowledges the following special circumstance for Professional Judgment:
- Elementary or secondary school tuition paid: this would be tuition paid for other dependents in the household and not you--the student. Some schools may set a minimum amount that had to be paid before PJ can be done.
- Medical or dental expenses not covered by insurance: since financial aid administrators are not trained in reading hospital or insurance records, your school may require the federal 1040 Schedule A that shows itemized medical expenses paid the prior year. Again, schools may set a minimum of what was paid.
- Unusually high child care costs: any costs could possibly be included if child care is not factored in to the student's cost of attendance. Schools may require documentation from the day care provider, or use a standard amount if a study has been completed to find the average day care expense for your area.
- Recent unemployment of a family member: I suggest students also contact the financial aid office if the student experiences recent unemployment, or a parent has had a dramatic change in employment but is still working.
- Other changes in family income or assets: remember, this has to be a special circumstance. Using assets to pay for college or other expenses does not constitute a special circumstance. These other changes are more difficult to accept as a special circumstance.
Here are some other special circumstances I have seen approved:
- Bank foreclosure for farm or business: example is a family using all or part of disposable income to pay off business or farm debts due to foreclosure.
- Family member has high living costs: example is a family member who is disabled and requires special care expense that is ongoing.
- Mileage for students commuting extensive distances: this would not apply to distance learning classes unless you are taking a combination of on-campus and distance learning courses. It may also depend on whether the school is a residential or commuter school and if mileage is already factored in to the student's budget.
- Purchase of a computer: purchase or commitment to purchase must already be made before PJ can be done.
What doesn't qualify as a special circumstance?
- Credit card debt
- Spending your assets, such as savings, after the FAFSA is filed
- Cashing in bonds, CDs, or other assets that is reported as income on the federal tax return and reported as income on the FAFSA. Even though this may be a one-time income, it is still considered income. Exceptions are very limited and determined by the financial aid office.
This list is not all-encompassing. For example, our school made a PJ decision to adjust a student's family income based on income that was received as inheritance and reported on the FAFSA, but was used (and documented) to pay the father's funeral expenses. Remember, financial aid administrators are not required to perform PJ, as it is a discretionary action, and not all schools make decisions the same way.
I want to reiterate that the use of Professional Judgment for special circumstances depends on the school and your student budget. The best advice I can provide is to contact your financial aid office if you do have a special circumstance.