Professional Judgment Policy

The following are conditions/reasons for which a student may request an adjustment to their EFC.  The documents required that are listed below may not be the only documents needed once the PJ has been reviewed.

1. Death of a parent or the independent student's spouse.

Required Documents:

• A copy of the death certificate

• W2’s and current federal tax returns for independent student or for surviving parent of dependent student.

2. Loss of employment by independent student/spouse/parent (for at least 3 months).

Required Documents:

• Letter from previous employer on company letterhead stating:
  • Last day of employment and reason for unemployment
  • Earnings up to the last day of employment
• Copy of current 1040
• Statement from Unemployment Office stating benefits and beginning and ending dates
• If you have found new employment, please provide last 2-3 paystubs
• Retirement pay statement if applicable

3. Loss of earnings due to disability.

Required Documents:

• A letter from physician stating the nature and date of the disability. Must have occurred in current or previous year.
• Earnings up to the last day of employment

4. Loss of untaxed income and benefits.

Required Documents:

• Documentation certifying loss of benefits or untaxed income.

5. Divorce or legal separation of parent or student

Required Documents:

• A copy or the Divorce Decree and/or a letter from the attorney stating date of separation.
• W2’s and current federal tax returns for Independent student or supporting parent.

6. One time income (inheritance, IRA distribution, retroactive lump-sum payment, etc.)

Required Documents:

• 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 that some expenses will not be approved.

7. Non-elective medical or dental expense not covered by insurance.

Required documents:

• Current federal tax return, Schedule A-Itemized Deductions AND/OR
• Receipts of medical and dental payments NOT covered by insurance if you did not itemize on your Federal tax return. (Highlight your portion of payment & provide itemized totals on unreimbursed amount.)

8. Elementary and secondary education tuition

• Copy of receipt from elementary/secondary school for this academic year.

9. Additional Family Members Enrolled in College 

• A copy of a paid receipt or a paid bill on school letterhead for the current semester for each additional family member is required.

10. Severe Disability of Student, Student's Parent, Student's Spouse, or Student's Dependent 

• Documentation of direct costs paid that are not covered by insurance.

It is the policy of the Office of Student Financial Assistance that we begin to use PJ to make adjustments to the EFC beginning July 1st for the upcoming award year. Accuracy in your income projection(s) is very important. It is the policy of NKU's Office of Student Financial Assistance to not process future adjustments for any student who underestimates his/her household income by more than 15% for an adjustment calculation. For adjustments to income processed after January 1 of the award year, students and parents will be asked to provide current tax forms or W-2s.