Professional Judgement & Appeals Policy
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) does not provide families with a place to explain special circumstances affecting their ability to pay for the student’s education. Federal regulations provide financial aid administrators with the authority to use their discretion or professional judgment to adjust, on a case-by-case basis, with sufficient documentation, the data elements used on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) that impact the Student Aid Index (SAI) to better reflect a family’s ability to pay for college. Professional Judgement can also be utilized to change dependency status and/or cost of attendance.
Types of Professional Judgement Appeals
The following are some of the reasons for which a student may request Professional Judgment under special and/or unusual circumstances:
Submitting a Professional Judgement Request
In order to be considered for a professional judgment, DBU must have a processed FAFSA for the applicable award year and a completed verification, (if selected).
If you believe that you have a compelling reason(s) to be considered for a professional judgment (SAI change, COA increase, or a DO request), please complete the following steps:
- Email the DBU Financial Aid Office at finaid@dbu.edu to discuss why a professional judgment appeal is necessary and to determine the appropriate documentation that is required.
- After the appointed staff member has determined that you may be eligible to file a professional judgment appeal, an appeal will be available within your financial aid checklist via MyDBU.
Allow 3-4 weeks for the professional judgment appeal to be processed. Requesting an appeal does not guarantee that you will be granted one or that you will receive additional funds.
Examples of Required Documents
Examples of documents that may be required are listed below. Once the PJ has been reviewed, additional documentation may be requested. This is not meant as an all-inclusive list.
Loss of employment
- Letter from previous employer on company letterhead showing date of termination
- Copy of final pay stub showing YTD earnings
- Statement from the unemployment office stating benefits (and beginning/ending dates, if applicable)
- Latest pay stub from new employment (if applicable)
- Retirement pay statement (if applicable)
Death of a parent or spouse
- Death certificate for parent or spouse
- W-2s for surviving parent or independent student
Divorce/legal separation of parents or spouse
- Copy of divorce decree or attorney letter stating date of separation
- W-2s and/or income and asset documents for the coming year for supporting parent or independent student
One-time income removal
- Documentation of one-time income, including type and dollar amount
- Statements and/or receipts showing how funds were spent, invested, or rolled over
Private elementary/secondary tuition expenses
- Copy of receipts for the current academic year (net tuition paid after financial aid and/or discounts)
Child support reduction or change
- Court documents showing YTD payments received and termination date (if applicable)
Alimony reduction or change
- Court documents showing YTD payments received and termination date (if applicable)
Dependent care costs
- Letter on letterhead from licensed childcare facility listing child(ren) and cost
- Receipts or YTD paid statement (if paid in advance)
Disability
- Documentation of disability diagnosis
- Documentation of related costs (e.g. transportation, equipment, supplies)
Non-elective medical/dental expenses not covered by insurance
- Documentation of out-of-pocket expenses (highlight your portion of the payment made and provide itemized totals for unreimbursed amounts)
Dependent student with children and/or other legal dependents
- Copy of child’s birth certificate
- Proof of support for dependents (e.g. paystub showing YTD income, SNAP benefits, outside support received)
Ward of the court and/or foster care
- Documentation showing ward of the court status or placement in the foster care system
Legal guardianship and/or emancipated minor
- Court documents showing legal guardianship or emancipation
Unaccompanied homeless youth
- Documentation showing unaccompanied homeless youth determination
Parents are incarcerated
- Documentation of incarceration
Left home due to abusive family environment
- Evidence of break in family (e.g. police reports, child services involvement, counseling)
- Two third-party letters attesting to your circumstance (e.g. school counselor, clergy member, coach, social worker, medical professional)
No contact with parents and unable to locate
- Two third-party letters attesting to your circumstance (e.g. school counselor, clergy member, coach, social worker, medical professional)
- Supporting documentation (e.g. police reports, school emergency contact information, court documents)
Notification of Your Appeal
The Financial Aid Office will contact you via DBU email and the Self-Service portal regarding the status of your request for an appeal. The Financial Aid Office and the assigned administrator have the final authority in making professional judgment decisions. There is no appeal. By law, neither the school’s president nor the U.S. Department of Education can override the financial aid administrator’s decision. (Higher Education Act of 1965, Sections 479A and 480(d) (7)).