Professional Judgment/Special Circumstances Appeal Process

We recognize that the pandemic has significantly impacted many students and families over the past two years. Recognizing this, if your family’s financial situation has changed significantly since you completed your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and that change has impacted your ability to pay for your education, you may wish to request a professional judgment (PJ) - special circumstances appeal.  Please thoroughly review the Professional Judgment/Special Circumstances Appeal Requirements, along with required documentation, below to determine if your situation meets the special circumstances criteria that indicates you might benefit from a PJ and t. If so, please see the next steps below.

Note:

• Undergraduate students - Only undergraduate students whose current student aid index (SAI) is not already 0 and who have not met their lifetime limit for Pell grant potentially will benefit from completing this appeal. Please check the email we sent to your NLU email address. It has your SAI listed. You may also check your student aid report sent to you by the Department of Education.
• Post Baccalaureate/Endorsement/Graduate/Doctoral students automatically receive the maximum student loans for which they are eligible in their financial aid package and therefore this opportunity does not pertain to them.

Next Steps:

1. If you choose to submit an appeal after reviewing the special circumstances listed on the attached PDF, please review required documentation and submit ALL with your appeal.
   
              2025-2026 Professional Judgment - Special Circumstances Appeal Requirements
                     (for students enrolled Summer 2025 - Spring 2026) - must have completed the 2025-26 FAFSA
   
              2024-2025 Professional Judgment - Special Circumstances Appeal Requirements
                     (for students enrolled Summer 2024 - Spring 2025) - must have completed the 2024-25 FAFSA
   
   
2. You must have a completed FAFSA on file AND if selected, have completed verification before starting a special circumstances (PJ) appeal. See the

   "How to Complete the Professional Judgment/Special Circumstances Appeal" guide for how to log into your portal and complete the appeal. The "How To Help Your Parent Sign Your Appeal Form" will also help if you are a dependent student.
   
   

3. We will send email to your NLU email address if we need anything else as we review your appeal so please check it frequently for updates.