1. PJ—A Pathway, Not a Hurdle
Connie Brown and
Lydia Gaona
Texas Tech University
Texas Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators

2. Why make professional judgements?
To help aid administrators better assess the ability of a family to pay for postsecondary education
Weighing a family’s situation both objectively (and subjectively) allows an aid administrator to determine a reasonable amount that a family can provide for college expenses
PJ’s are an important factor in the student financial aid delivery system
ED recognizes the role of PJ by noting in the FAFSA “…if you or your family has unusual circumstances…”
Texas Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators

3. What are the hurdles?
Are staff trained to look for effective PJ approaches?
Are you using income that best reflects the student’s current situation?
Are you asking for more information than you need to make a determination?
Do you have policies and procedures established to address special circumstances?
How do you process applications in your office?
Texas Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators

4. Where can professional judgement be exercised?
Dependency status
Need analysis:
calculating expected family contribution (EFC)
calculation of the cost of attendance (COA)
Denial or reduction of Direct Loan or Direct Plus eligibility
Direct Unsubsidized Loan eligibility for a dependent student without
parental FAFSA data
SAP
Texas Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators

5. TTU’s system for managing PJ’s—the Hammer!
One person reviews—it’s a system
Special circumstance
Cover sheet (check list)
Student assistant
Spread sheet
Special circumstance grant funds
Texas Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators

6. Tough decisions—let’s discuss!
Prior prior year
Hurricane Harvey and other natural disasters
Other difficult circumstances
Texas Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators

7. Texas Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators

8. Thank you! Texas Tech University Connie Brown ~ Lydia Gaona
Texas Tech University