Professional Judgment

Please Note:  Professional Judgement for Cost of Attendance is not an appeal for more aid.  It allows us to examine the actual cost a student incurs to attend school and make adjustments to the COA accordingly.  This adjustment may allow a student to increase their loan amount.

Please provided the following for death of a parent or spouse:

• A copy of the death certificate.
• W2's for independent student or for surviving parent of dependent student.

Please provided the following loss of employment:

• Letter from previous employer on company letterhead showing date of unemployment.
• Copy of final pay stub showing YTD earnings.
• Statement from unemployment office stating benefits and beginning and ending dates, if applicable.
• If you have found new employment, please provide last 2-3 paystubs.
• Retirement pay statement, if applicable.

Please provided the following for loss of earnings due to disability:

• Disability documentation from physician and any documentation regarding disability benefits you receive or will receive, must have occurred in the current or previous year.
• Earnings up to the last day of employment.

Please provided the following for Loss of income due to business/farm loss:

• Documentation showing loss of income from the business/farm.
• Profit/Loss statements from prior year and current year for the same time period.
• Written statement projection earnings for the current year and expected losses.

Please provided the following for loss of untaxed income and benefits:

• Documentation certifying loss of benefits or untaxed income.

Please provided the following for one time income:

• Documentation of one time income including type and dollar amount.
• Statement and receipts showing how funds were spent, invested, or rolled over.
• Please be aware some expenses will not be approved.

Please provided the following for non-elective medical or dental expenses not covered by insurance:

• Receipts of medical and dental payments NOT covered by insurance.

Please provided the following for loss of child support payment:

• Court documentation showing payments received, termination date (if applicable), and total amount received for current year

Please provided the following for loss of alimony:

• Court documentation showing payments received, termination date (if applicable), and total amount received for current year

Please provided the following for divorce or legal separation of parent or student:

• A copy or the Divorce Decree and/or a letter from the attorney stating date of separation.
• W2's and/or income and asset documents for coming year for independent student or supporting parent.

Please provided the following if you receive workers compensation or lost workers compensation:

• Documentation from the bureau of WC stating date of benefit, termination date (if applicable), and total amount received for the current year.

Please provided the following if you earned less money in 2016:

• 2016 tax information (IRS 1040).

Please provide the following for a cost of attendance professional judgment:

• Copy of receipts for non routine vehicle repairs. Do NOT include gas, oil change or tire rotation, as these are viewed as routine maintenance.
• Copy of lease or mortgage statement. Statement must be in the student's and/or spouse's name and cover the time period the student is enrolled.
• Copy of utility bills. This can include electricity, water, phone, and internet.
• Copy of tuition payment for dependents in private school.