ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½¹ÙÍø

Professional Judgment Requests

The information reported on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, FAFSA, may not always reflect a student's current financial or personal circumstances. Federal regulations allow ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½¹ÙÍø financial aid administrators to review certain circumstances on a case-by-case basis through professional judgment.

Depending on the circumstances, ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½¹ÙÍø may adjust:

• Information used to determine Federal Pell Grant eligibility or calculate the Student Aid Index, SAI;
• Components of the student's cost of attendance; or
• A dependent student's dependency status.

Professional judgment decisions require appropriate documentation and are made on a case-by-case basis. Approval does not guarantee additional financial aid.

Special Circumstances

Special circumstances are financial situations that may not be accurately reflected on the FAFSA.

Examples may include:

• Loss of employment or reduction in income or benefits;
• Divorce, separation, or death of a parent or spouse;
• Significant medical, dental, nursing home, childcare, or dependent care expenses;
• Elementary or secondary school tuition expenses;
• Significant changes in housing expenses;
• Severe disability of the student or a household member;
• One-time income or distributions that do not reflect continuing financial resources;
• Changes in the number of family members attending college; or
• Other significant changes affecting the student's educational costs or ability to pay.

This list is not exhaustive. ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½¹ÙÍø reviews each request individually based on the circumstances and documentation provided.

Students with an SAI of -1500: -1500 is the lowest possible SAI. If your request is based only on a reduction in income, your SAI cannot be reduced further. However, you should still contact ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½¹ÙÍø if you have unusual circumstances or expenses that may affect your cost of attendance or other financial aid options.

Unusual Circumstances / Dependency Override

Unusual circumstances may prevent a dependent student from contacting a parent or make contact with a parent unsafe.

Examples may include:

• Human trafficking;
• Refugee or asylum status;
• Parental abandonment or estrangement;
• An abusive, threatening, or unsafe family environment;
• Student or parental incarceration; or
• Other circumstances in which parental contact is not possible or would pose a risk to the student.

Students may request a dependency override by completing the 2026-27 Unusual Circumstances Dependency Override Request Form.

The following circumstances do not, by themselves, qualify a student for a dependency override:

• A parent refuses to contribute toward the student's education or provide FAFSA information;
• A parent does not claim the student as a federal income tax dependent; or
• The student is financially self-supporting.

A dependent student whose parents refuse to provide FAFSA information or financial support may have limited eligibility for a Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan. Contact One Stop Services for assistance.

Homelessness or Risk of Homelessness

A student may be considered homeless if they do not have fixed, regular, and adequate housing. This may include living in a shelter, motel, vehicle, temporary housing, or staying with others because there is nowhere else to go.

For federal student aid purposes, a student may qualify as an independent student if they are:

• Homeless and not living in the physical custody of a parent or guardian; or
• Self-supporting, at risk of homelessness, and not living in the physical custody of a parent or guardian.

Students who believe they meet these conditions should complete the 2026-27 Unaccompanied Homeless Youth Determination Request Form.

Students experiencing homelessness while living with a parent or guardian should contact One Stop Services to discuss other financial aid adjustments that may be available.

How to Submit a Request

1. Submit the FAFSA for the applicable academic year and include ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½¹ÙÍø's federal school code, 002628.
2. Complete the ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½¹ÙÍø form that best matches your circumstances.
3. Submit the form and requested documentation through the One Stop Documents Upload on the Student Finances tile in .
4. Respond promptly if ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½¹ÙÍø requests additional information.

Do not email documents containing Social Security numbers, tax information, or other sensitive personal information.

Documentation

Documentation requirements vary based on the circumstances. Examples may include a written explanation, pay or unemployment records, tax documents, medical or dependent care expenses, court or government records, statements from knowledgeable third parties, or an interview with a ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½¹ÙÍø financial aid administrator.

Not every type of documentation is required for every request. ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½¹ÙÍø may request additional information when needed to complete the review or resolve conflicting information.

Review and Decision

ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½¹ÙÍø will begin its review after the FAFSA and requested documentation have been received.

Complete special circumstance requests are generally reviewed within 14 business days after all required documentation is received. Processing may take longer if additional information is needed or during periods of high volume.

Requests for a dependency override or homeless youth determination will be reviewed as quickly as practicable. When a request is made during the application or enrollment process, ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½¹ÙÍø will complete the determination no later than 60 days after the student enrolls. Requests made later in the award year will also be considered.

Students will receive written notice of the decision and any resulting change to their financial aid offer.

Prior Determinations of Independence

Students who previously received a dependency override or homeless youth determination from ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½¹ÙÍø will generally continue to be treated as independent in future award years unless the student's circumstances change or ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½¹ÙÍø receives conflicting information.

ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½¹ÙÍø may also consider a documented dependency override or homeless youth determination made by a financial aid administrator at another institution.

2026-27 Special Financial Circumstances Request Deadline

Students should submit a complete Special Financial Circumstances Request by April 1, 2027, to allow sufficient time for review and processing.

Requests received after April 1 may still be considered when sufficient time remains to complete the review and process any resulting aid.

Students experiencing unusual circumstances, homelessness, an unsafe family situation, or an inability to provide parental information should contact One Stop Services immediately, even after the special financial circumstances deadline.

2026-27 Request Forms

• Special Financial Circumstances Request (PDF)
  For significant changes in income, employment, family finances, medical or dependent care expenses, and similar financial circumstances.
• Unusual Circumstances Dependency Override Request (PDF)
  For dependent students who cannot safely contact a parent or for whom parental contact is not possible because of unusual circumstances.
• Unaccompanied Homeless Youth Determination Request (PDF)
  For students who are unaccompanied and experiencing homelessness, or who are self-supporting and at risk of homelessness.
• Cost of Attendance Adjustment Request (PDF)
  For eligible educational expenses not adequately reflected in ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½¹ÙÍø's standard cost of attendance.

If you are unsure which form to use, contact One Stop Services.

Contact One Stop Services

Phone: 609-896-5360
Email: onestop@rider.edu
Location: Bart Luedeke Center, First Floor

Financial aid counselors can help students identify the appropriate request process and documentation.