2025-2026 Professional Judgement Form

2025-2026 Professional Judgement Form
Name*

First NameLast Name
Student ID#:*
Date of Birth*

MonthDayYear
Date
Address*

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityState / Province

Postal / Zip Code
Email*
example@example.com
Phone Number*
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The Financial Aid Office recognizes that households can experience changes in income and/or finances or other unusual circumstances that are not accurately reflected from two years prior. As a result, the Financial Aid Office has the ability to review you and your family’s unusual circumstance(s) on a case-by-case basis.

Fletcher Enrollment Services must have your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) on file prior to reviewing your Professional Judgement.

Eligibility for financial aid is determined by the FAFSA, which currently uses financial information from two years prior to estimate a household’s current circumstances.

When such unusual situations occur, it is possible to re-evaluate a student’s aid eligibility based on their current circumstances through the Professional Judgment (PJ) process.

All Professional Judgment applications are required to have a detailed letter of explanation and supporting documentation. The Enrollment Services Office may request additional documentation, beyond what is requested on the appeal form, to support your unusual circumstance. A Professional Judgment cannot be processed for changes until verification is complete.

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

Circumstances NOT considered:
- Standard living expenses (utilities, car payments, etc.)
- Mortgage payments
- Credit card/other personal debts
- Filing for bankruptcy
- Vacation expenses
- Elective surgeries
- All other discretionary expenses
- Different university offering more aid
- Reduction in 401K/investment values
- Student already has a Student Aid Index (SAI) that already indicates full Pell Eligibility.
Select the reason for your Dependency Override Request:

If any of the following applies to your situation, please indicate below with a check mark. We will need to receive ALL listed information below before the request can be considered
Loss or change of employmentChild Support reduction or changeDivorce/Separation of parents/spouseChange of marital status for dependent studentsDeath of parent(s) or spouseExcessive out of pocket medical and/or dental expenses that exceed 11% of household’s Adjusted Gross IncomeOther
Note: A change in student’s aid eligibility will likely not occur if:
- 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
Required Documentation:
- Typed and signed personal statement outlining the reason for an request, including specific information and
  dates
- 2023 IRS Federal Income Tax Return Transcript
- At least two signed letters from third party (non-family member) who can verify your situation from
  personal knowledge. Professional references must be signed and listed on agency letterhead (law
  enforcement, guidance counselor, social worker, clergy, etc.) Personal references (family member)
  must be signed and notarized.
- Any copies of paystubs, W-2s, or separation letters from companies to show no longer employed.
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Certification Statement
By signing this form, I certify that all of the information on this form and any attachments are complete and accurate to
the best of my knowledge.

Warning: Purposely giving false or misleading information may result in a fine, imprisonment, or both.
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Date*

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2025-2026 Professional Judgement Form

Select the reason for your Dependency Override Request: