Professional Judgment refers to the authority granted to financial aid professionals to adjust a student’s financial aid eligibility based on unusual or exceptional circumstances.
These circumstances may include, but are not limited to:
- A significant decrease in income
- Changes in family size or marital status
- Loss of employment or assets
- Unusual medical or personal expenses
- Change in dependency status
This list is not exhaustive. If you have a unique situation not listed above, you may still be eligible for a review under the professional judgment process.
Initial Financial Aid Eligibility
Your initial financial aid eligibility is determined based on the information submitted on your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Within 2–3 business days of FAFSA processing, the school receives an Institutional Student Information Record (ISIR), which includes your Student Aid Index (SAI). This information is used to calculate your financial aid package.
Why Professional Judgment May Be Necessary
At Integrity College of Health, we understand that FAFSA data may not always reflect your current financial situation. When appropriate, our Office of Financial Aid may use professional judgment to update your FAFSA data, recalculate your SAI, and adjust your financial aid package accordingly.
Requesting a Professional Judgment Review
To initiate a professional judgment review:
1. Contact your campus Financial Aid Department.
2. Your assigned Financial Aid Advisor will guide you through the process, including a list of required documentation.
3. Supporting documentation is mandatory and must be submitted by:
- You and your spouse, or
- You and your parents (if you are a dependent student)
Documentation must clearly support the nature and timing of the change in circumstances.