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Professional Judgment Appeal
Requesting a Review of Your Financial Aid Eligibility
If you or your family have experienced a significant, unforeseen, non-discretionary change in financial circumstances or have expenses that are not adequately reflected in your financial aid budget, you may request a Professional Judgment (PJ) review. A Professional Judgment review allows William & Mary to evaluate documented circumstances on a case-by-case basis and, when appropriate, make adjustments to certain financial aid data or components of a student's Cost of Attendance (COA). A request for review does not guarantee that an adjustment will be made or that additional financial aid will be awarded.
Circumstances Not Eligible for Consideration:
- Voluntary job loss
- Discretionary expenses
- Losses from investments
- Private-school tuition for siblings
- A family's unwillingness to contribute
Circumstances We May Consider
- Involuntary Changes in Income or Employment
- Changes in Family Circumstances
- Significant Unforeseen Expenses (e.g., unusually high out-of-pocket medical, dental, or related expenses not covered by insurance)
- Dependent care expenses
- Disability-related expenses necessary for attendance
What Documentation Is Required?
Professional Judgment decisions must be supported by documentation that demonstrates the nature and financial impact of the circumstances. The Financial Aid Office may request additional documentation when necessary to evaluate an appeal.
How the Review Process Works
Professional Judgment reviews are conducted on a case-by-case basis. The Financial Aid Office will review the information provided, determine whether the circumstances meet the requirements for consideration, and evaluate the potential impact on the student's financial aid eligibility. If an adjustment is appropriate, the Financial Aid Office may adjust eligible FAFSA data elements or the student's Cost of Attendance, as permitted under federal financial aid regulations. Any resulting change in financial aid eligibility will depend on the student's individual circumstances, available funding, enrollment, and applicable federal, state, and institutional requirements.
Submitting an appeal does not guarantee additional financial aid.
Before Submitting an Appeal
Before submitting a Professional Judgment appeal, make sure the information reported on your FAFSA is accurate and complete. Professional Judgment is intended to address special circumstances that are not adequately reflected in the FAFSA or standard student budget. If you believe your current circumstances may warrant a review, we encourage you to submit an appeal with a detailed explanation of your situation and all available supporting documentation.