Professional Judgement Process at SOU
Southern Oregon University recognizes that changes may be experienced in the financial situation of a household. While the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) determines financial aid eligibility based on data from two years prior, the Professional Judgment process exists to re-evaluate a student’s aid based on certain significant changes.
Change to Expected Family Contribution (EFC)/Student Aid Index (SAI)
**NOTE: A change to the EFC/SAI could result in a change of eligibility for need-based awards. However, it is NOT guaranteed.
Students who already have a 0 or negative EFC/SAI cannot be adjusted lower due to a Professional Judgement. Graduate students are also not eligible for a Professional Judgment unless they are being considered for need based financial aid.
Special Circumstance EFC/SAI Calculation Appeals are at institutional discretion and cannot be appealed to the Department of Education. Documentation is required and additional documentation may be required at any time during the process before a decision is made.
Professional Judgements are done yearly unless you meet one of the following populations:
- Homeless Youth
- Approved dependency appeals
Possible changes include:
- Loss or change of employment (those due to personal choice are not applicable)
- Child Support change
- Death of parent or spouse
- Excessive medical expenses (must exceed 11% of adjusted gross income)
- One-time taxable income (IRA distribution, pension distribution, etc.)
- Divorce or Separation in the home
- Addition of students enrolled in college
Change to Cost of Attendance (COA)
**NOTE: A change to the COA does not result in a change to need based awards. It simply increases the total budget (known as the COA) which allows for a potential increase in loan funding. Additional funding is not a guarantee even with an approved COA Appeal.
Possible changes include:
- Costs associated with a student’s disability.
- Dependent care—An allowance based on the estimated actual expenses incurred for dependent care, based on the number and age of such dependents.
- Such allowance must not exceed the reasonable cost in the community in which such student resides for the kind of care provided; and
- The period for which dependent care is required includes, but is not limited to, class-time, study-time, field work, internships, and commuting time.
- One-time purchase of a computer for educational use.
- Actual housing costs that exceed the allowance in the students COA.
- One-time cost of professional licensure required for student’s major.
- Study abroad expenses – An allowance for reasonable costs, for a student in a study abroad program approved for credit by the home institution.
- Professional licensure, certification, or a first professional credential – An allowance for the costs associated with obtaining a license, certification, or a first professional credential, for a student in a program that prepares them to enter a profession that requires such a qualification.
How to Apply for Professional Judgement
If you meet one of the significant changes outlined in the Change to Expected Family Contribution (EFC)/SAI or the Change to Cost of Attendance (COA) sections above you can submit an appeal after June 30th before the academic year at sou.studentforms.com.
If you need to submit a Unusual Circumstances Appeal due to unusual circumstances, please review the criteria and process here.