Request a professional judgement

The University’s Financial Aid & Scholarships office is permitted to review and update students’ federal aid eligibility through a process called Professional Judgement. Under certain circumstances, students may qualify for adjustments to their FAFSA and receive additional aid. Students must submit a FAFSA prior to submitting a Professional Judgement request.

What is professional judgement

Professional Judgement refers to the ability for a financial aid office to review a special or unusual circumstance a student may be experiencing and using their professional discretion to make a determination for a possible adjustment to student aid eligibility. This is done on a case-by-case basis after acceptable and reasonable documentation has been submitted.

How to request a professional judgement

The Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships encourages a one-on-one appointment with a Professional Judgement advisor before a request is made. The link to book an in-person or virtual appointment is below.

Book appointment

During the one-on-one appointment, the student and the advisor will discuss the special or unusual circumstance to determine if it warrants a professional judgement and if so, what documentation will need to be provided. Once documentation is collected and ready for submission, students can submit documents directly to fapj@unr.edu.

Please be advised that submission of a Professional Judgement (whether with prior year tax data or a special circumstance) may not increase federal aid eligibility and therefore may be denied.

Circumstances for a professional judgement

If you have any question about the process or your situation, we are here to help. 

Contact us at FAPJ@unr.edu to start the conversation.