Professional Judgement

Eligibility for financial aid is determined by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), which currently uses financial information from two years prior to estimate a household’s current circumstances. The Office of Student Financial Assistance recognizes that households can experience changes in income or other finances that are not reflected in their information from two years prior.

When these situations occur it is possible to re-evaluate a student’s aid eligibility based on their current circumstances through the Professional Judgement (PJ) process. All Professional Judgement applications are required to have a detailed letter of explanation and supporting documentation. A Professional Judgement cannot be processed for changes until verification is complete. Please check your aid status on your myUCF Student Self Service Portal.

There must be a significant change to the household finances to be considered for a Professional Judgement.

Non-applicable Circumstances

• Standard living expenses (utilities, car payments, etc)
• Mortgage payments
• Credit card/other personal debts
• Filing for bankruptcy
• Vacation expenses
• All other discretionary expenses

The 2023-2024 Professional Judgement form is now available for students to complete and submit through July 15, 2024. Students who are submitting for a Cost of Attendance adjustment after this deadline will be reviewed on a case by case basis.

Types of Professional Judgement

1. Change to Student Aid Index (SAI)
2. Change to Cost of Attendance (COA)

Change to Student Aid Index (SAI)

• Loss or change of employment
  

• The person who lost employment has currently been rehired and is earning a similar or higher salary than two years prior
• The loss or change to income was not significant

A change to the SAI could, but is not guaranteed to, result in a change of eligibility for need based awards.

To best determine if an SAI Professional Judgement could be of benefit to you please complete the 2024-2025 SAI Consideration Application.

Change to Cost of Attendance (COA)

Out of pocket costs for the following:

• Costs associated with a student’s disability
• Childcare expenses for a dependent child of the student
• One-time purchase of a computer for education expenses
• One-time costs of professional licensure required for student’s major

A change to the COA does not necessarily result in a change in financial aid eligibility. An increased COA can provide additional eligibility in a student’s educational budget for private aid. In some instances, a student may have increased eligibility for need-based and/or non-need based awards.

To best determine if a COA Professional Judgement could be of benefit to you please complete the 2024-2025 COA Consideration Application.

The chart below lists the type of supporting documentation required for various categories of Professional Judgement. Failure to submit all applicable required documentation listed will result in a delay and possible denial of your Professional Judgement application.

• Statement on letterhead indicating the last date of employment
• Copy of the last paycheck including any vacation pay, severance, bonuses, or tips received
• Documentation of the gross income of the person whose employment status changed
• Members of the military must submit a copy of the DD214 and a LES showing taxable and untaxed income
• Documentation of any type of income being received including workman’s compensation, payments from 401(k) or 403(b) plans, the financial contribution made by individuals outside of the household

• Student’s marriage certificate
• Student’s and spouse’s most recent tax returns

• Death certificate of the deceased individual
• Copy of final paycheck
• Documentation of any death benefits received

• Death certificate of the deceased individual
• Copy of final paycheck
• Documentation of any death benefits received

• Documentation of disability diagnosis
• Documentation of costs related to the student’s disability ex. Personal assistance, transportation, equipment, or supplies (These costs cannot be provided by other agencies to be considered for a Professional Judgement.)

• Documentation of the total amount of child support expected for each child

• Documentation of paid out- of- pocket medical expenses
• Copy of Schedule A (tax form)

• Proof of tuition expenses paid for the current academic year on school letterhead

• Proof of dependent care expenses paid for the current academic year on letterhead

• Proof of cost of computer required for educational purposes or proof of purchase (This is a one-time adjustment.)

• Proof of costs associated with professional licensure or proof of payment (This is a one-time adjustment. Preparatory coursework cannot be included.)

Note: An approved Professional Judgement Appeal may not result in a change to the student’s financial aid award package.