ÑÇÖÞÇéÉ« Professional Judgment: Special Circumstances and Dependency Overrides
At ÑÇÖÞÇéÉ«, we know life happens—and your finances can change. Since FAFSA uses income data from two years ago, it might not reflect your current situation or special circumstances. But don’t worry—we’re here to help!
Thanks to Professional Judgment, our financial aid team can review special situations and make necessary adjustments to your FAFSA per federal regulations. This could impact your (SAI)* and even increase your eligibility for need-based aid, including the Federal Pell Grant, Federal Direct Subsidized Loan, and Federal Work-Study.
If your financial situation has changed, let’s talk! Reach out to our financial aid office to explore your options and ensure you’re getting the support you deserve.
*Please note that if you’re a student who already has a $0 or lower SAI on your FAFSA, you may have already been awarded the maximum available aid.
Special Circumstances Considered and Documentation Required
To make sure everything is reviewed properly, students must provide enough documentation to support their request.
Special Circumstances are financial situations that may allow for adjustments to your Cost of Attendance (COA) or the information reported on your FAFSA. Examples include:
- One-time reduction in income such as a one-time IRA withdrawal
- Loss or reduction of employment, wages or unemployment compensation
- Exceptional medical and/or dental expenses
- Divorce or separation that occurred after taxes were filed
- Death of a parent or spouse which occurred after the FAFSA was filed
- Marriage (if married between the date the FAFSA was filed and December 31 of the same year)
The Office of Financial Aid is not limited to these circumstances, nor are we required to use professional judgment for these circumstances. We highly recommend speaking to one of our financial aid staff members for assistance if needed.
Examples of special circumstances documentation include:
- Recent pay stubs, termination letters, or unemployment benefit statements
- Receipts or statements for medical expenses that show items not covered by insurance
- Documentation of dependent care costs
Dependency Overrides and Documentation Required
To make sure everything is reviewed properly, students must provide enough documentation to support their request.
Financial aid administrators can override a student’s dependency status in extreme circumstances. Unusual Circumstances are conditions that may justify changing your dependency status from dependent to independent.
Examples of qualifying situations include:
- Human trafficking
- Refugee or asylee status
- An abusive family environment
- Abandonment and/or estrangement by parents
- Incarceration or institutionalization of both parents
- Parents cannot be located
Situations that do not qualify:
- Parents refuse to contribute to the student's education
- Parents are unwilling to provide information on the FAFSA or for verification
- Parents do not claim the student as a dependent for income tax purposes
- Student demonstrates total self-sufficiency
Examples of unusual circumstances documentation include:
- Personal statement detailing your situation
- Letters on official letterhead from third-party professionals (e.g., clergy, attorneys, social workers, doctors)
- Court documents or police reports
- Statements from homeless shelter directors or liaisons
If you are unable to provide your parents information on the FAFSA and do not meet any of the criteria above for a dependency override, please contact the Office of Financial Aid for additional information.
What if my parent refuses to complete the FAFSA?
At ÑÇÖÞÇéÉ«, we understand that some students may face difficult family situations that can affect their ability to apply for financial aid. If you're a dependent student and your parents refuse to provide their information on your FAFSA, you may still qualify for a Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan. However, you won't be eligible for federal SEOG or Pell Grants, state grants, or Moravian grants. Also, you won’t be able to receive a Federal Direct Subsidized Loan.
To request consideration for this exception, complete the FAFSA and indicate that your parent refuses to provide support. You must also provide documentation of your situation, which includes a letter from your parent that:
- Specifies the date they stopped providing financial support
- Confirms that they will not provide financial support in the future or that they refuse to complete the parent section of the FAFSA.
If you’re unable to obtain a letter from a parent, documentation is required from a third party (e.g., teacher, counselor, bishop, or court) that describes your relationship with your parents.
Students in this situation are encouraged to reach out to their financial aid counselor at ÑÇÖÞÇéÉ« for guidance and support throughout the process.
How to Submit a Request
To request a professional judgment review:
- for Special or Unusual Circumstances.
- Submit the completed form along with required supporting documentation. Students who provide all necessary materials can expect a response within 15 business days.
Please note that a professional judgment review does not guarantee additional funding and the US Department of Education does not have the authority to override a school’s decision.
For questions or assistance, we encourage you to contact the ÑÇÖÞÇéÉ« Financial Aid Office at finaid@moravian.edu or schedule an appointment with your financial aid counselor if you have any questions.