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Professional Judgment/Dependency Override Except under unusual circumstances, a student's expected family contribution (EFC) may not be adjusted. The adjustment is based on data element changes provided on the FAFSA. Professional Judgment is used to recognize a special circumstance related to a student's application for federal student aid that might warrant an adjustment to the EFC. A Dependency Override is also allowed under the professional judgment provision, as well. Circumstances under which Professional Judgment may be considered: • Death in the family • Loss of employment • Critical injury • Change in financial circumstances • Other circumstances approved by the Financial Aid Director or School President • Dependency Override (*Dependency Override can only be from Dependent to Independent, never Independent to Dependent) In a case of Dependency Override (dependent students to independent) may be allowed with sufficient documentation. In all cases, Professional Judgment must be applied on a case -by -case basis and properly documented. Exercising Professional Judgment and Required Documentation A student who has circumstances that warrant a review must complete a Professional Judgment form and provide appropriate documents to verify each circumstance. This information must be submitted to the Financial Aid Office for review. If approved, changes may be made to a student's eligibility. In all cases, the Financial Aid Director must have final review of submitted documents. All verified documents must be factual and supported. While students may appeal the Professional Judgment decision, all decisions made by the Financial Director are deemed final with no further appeal. Return of Federal (Title IV) Financial Aid (R2T4) If a student receives Title IV financial aid funds and the student ceases to be enrolled prior to the end of a payment period, a calculation of the 'Return of Title IV Aid' must be performed to determine the allowable earned amount of federal funds applied towards educational costs. Students who withdraw from all classes may owe funds to the College, due to a mandated return of Title IV funds by the College to the federal government. The FAO will notify and provide instructions to students if they are required to return funds to the government. A student's aid funds that are returned to the Title IV aid program will generally reduce the amount that a student originally borrowed for the term. Financial aid returned (either by the College and/or the student or parent) must be distributed (up to the net amount disbursed from each type) in the following order: 1. Federal Direct Loan Unsubsidized 2. Federal Direct Loan Subsidized 3. Federal Direct PLUS (Parent) Loan 4. Federal Pell Grant S. Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) 6. Return to Student Pacific College 2022-2023 Catalog 27