Tuition & Aid
In this section:Sometimes you may experience unusual or special circumstances that impact your federal student aid eligibility. Federal regulations permit Student Financial Services to administer professional judgment, on a case-by-case basis (with supporting documentation), of the situation that is beyond the student’s control. This will allow adjustments to be made to the student’s FAFSA, which impacts the Expected Family Contribution (EFC).
Unusual or Special Circumstances
Please be advised this is not an inclusive list:
- Loss of employment by parent, student, or spouse
- Death of a parent or spouse
- Loss of non-taxable income
- Separation or divorce of parents or student and spouse
- Parent enrolled in college
- Siblings in K-12 private education
- Proof of additional educational expense
- Other documented circumstances
How to Submit a Request for Professional Judgment
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For Student Financial Services to review your special condition, request a review of the condition by submitting a "Request for Professional Judgment" form and providing supporting documentation.
Supporting documentation includes, but is not limited to:
- A signed statement from the student
- A signed statement from the parent
- Court documents
- Death notice
- Unemployment verification
- Letters of support from counselors, ministers, lawyers, doctors
- Other legal documents
TSC has an electronic form for professional judgments. The "Request for Professional Judgment" forms are located in Workday.
- Log in to Workday using your student credentials
- Go to left sidebar menu and click "Student Finance Hub"
- Select "Submit New Form"
- Select "TSC College Forms"
- Scroll down to "Financial Aid" and select the appropriate form to complete, such as
- Request For Professional Judgment for Either Dependent or Independent
- Unusual Circumstance for Dependency Override
- Professional Judgement for Unsubsidized Loan
- Complete the form online, attach supporting documentation, and submit electronically
Supporting documentation may be uploaded to the "Professional Judgment" form, mailed to the Student Financial Services Office, or hand delivered to the Student Financial Services Office. The request for review of your special condition will not be reviewed until supporting documentation has been received.
Upon receipt of the "Request for Professional Judgment" form and supporting documentation, Student Financial Services will review your situation and, where appropriate, make changes to your or your family’s financial information, family size, or number in college.
In doing so, Student Financial Services will gain a more accurate assessment of your or your family’s ability to contribute to the cost of your education. If the request is for a change in the standard budget, the change will be made to your expense budget.
Students from regions beyond the normal service region for TSC may receive a budget increase by verbal request if the increase is appropriate or if it is noticed in the financial aid file by Student Financial Services.
Professional Judgment Decision
The request will be reviewed by Student Financial Services, and a response will be provided to you.
If the request is accepted, the new Student Aid Report (SAR) will serve as notification. If the request is rejected, an email or letter will be sent to you.