Professional Judgement/Special Circumstances
About Professional Judgement/Special Circumstances
Have a special circumstance? The Office of Financial Aid can use professional judgement to help eligible students receive financial aid.
Professional Judgement
Special Circumstance
Federal financial aid is based on a formula created by the U.S. Department of Education to determine a student鈥檚 Expected Family Contribution, or EFC. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) uses prior-prior year income information to determine your EFC and eligibility for federal financial aid (grants, loans, work-study).
After filing the FAFSA, some families realize that their EFC may not adequately reflect the family鈥檚 current financial situation due to extenuating circumstances. The federal government allows schools to review a family鈥檚 unique circumstances, beyond the student鈥檚/family鈥檚 control, to determine if the situation warrants special consideration.
To request consideration for special conditions, please request an appointment with a Financial Aid Counselor at: Financialaid@njcu.edu
In the subject Line: Request Appointment and add your Gothic Net student ID.
In the body of the email indicate you have a special condition or are requesting a professional judgement. Also, indicate if you want a Zoom meet, in-person (recommended) or a phone call. Please be aware that in some instances a special condition might require that you come into the Financial Aid Office. We are located on the Second Floor of Hepburn Hall Room 215.