Special Circumstances

Special & Unusual Circumstances

At Piedmont Technical College (PTC), we recognize that students and their families may experience financial circumstances that are not accurately reflected on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Under Section 479A of the Higher Education Act, Financial Aid Administrators have the authority to exercise professional judgment and review individual situations on a case-by-case basis.

Through a professional judgment review, PTC may consider adjustments based on special circumstances or unusual circumstances that affect a student's eligibility for federal financial aid. These adjustments may result in changes to FAFSA data, Student Aid Index (SAI), cost of attendance, or dependency status, depending on the student's documented situation.

The FAFSA Simplification Act distinguishes between two categories of professional judgment:

  • Special Circumstances: Situations involving changes to a student’s or family’s financial circumstances that may impact financial aid eligibility.
  • Unusual Circumstances: Situations that may warrant a dependency override or a determination of independent student status due to unique family or personal circumstances.

All requests for professional judgment consideration are reviewed individually and require supporting documentation. Submission of a request does not guarantee an adjustment or an increase in financial aid eligibility.
 

Special Circumstances

A special circumstance refers to an unforeseen change in a student's or family's financial situation that affects their ability to pay for college. In some cases, a Financial Aid Administrator may use professional judgment to adjust FAFSA data elements or certain components of a student's Cost of Attendance (COA) when supported by documentation.

Examples of special circumstances include, but are not limited to:

  • Total loss of employment
  • Substantial decrease in income
  • Loss of benefits
  • One-time income or payment received (such as a 401(k) or IRA withdrawal)
  • Death of a parent after the FAFSA has been completed
  • Death of a spouse after the FAFSA has been completed
  • Disability affecting the student, parent, or spouse
  • Divorce or separation resulting in a significant change in household income
  • One-time purchase of a computer required for educational purposes
  • Books, course materials, supplies, and equipment expenses that exceed the standard amount included in the Cost of Attendance

The following circumstances generally do not qualify for a Special Circumstances Professional Judgment review:

  • Standard living expenses
  • Personal debt
  • Vacation expenses
  • Choosing to attend a college that offers less financial aid than another institution

Please note: Approval of a Professional Judgment request does not guarantee an increase in financial aid eligibility.

How Do I Request a Special Circumstances Review?

To be considered for a special circumstances review, you must:

  1. Complete the FAFSA.
  2. Submit all required financial aid documentation through your PTC Pathway account.
  3. Complete the Professional Judgment Form available on the Financial Aid tab in your Pathway account.

The form will guide you through the required information and supporting documentation needed for review.

What Happens After I Submit My Request?

All requests are reviewed individually and on a case-by-case basis by a Financial Aid Administrator. The administrator's decision is final.

If approved, PTC may adjust eligible FAFSA data elements based on your documented circumstances. Adjusted information is submitted to the U.S. Department of Education, which will recalculate your Student Aid Index (SAI) and determine your eligibility for federal financial aid.

Important: PTC cannot directly change your Student Aid Index or alter the federal formula used to calculate eligibility. The College may only adjust FAFSA data elements when permitted by federal regulations and supported by appropriate documentation.

You will be notified of the final decision through your official Piedmont Technical College student email account. Some requests may be denied or may not result in changes to your financial aid eligibility.

Unusual Circumstances

An unusual circumstance refers to a situation in which a student who would normally be considered dependent is unable to provide parental information on the FAFSA because doing so would pose a risk to the student or because exceptional circumstances exist. In these situations, a Financial Aid Administrator may consider a dependency override through professional judgment.

Examples of unusual circumstances include, but are not limited to:

  • Abusive family environment
  • Abandonment by parents
  • Estrangement from parents
  • Inability to locate or contact parents
  • Human trafficking
  • Legally granted refugee or asylum status

Students who are under legal guardianship, are orphans, wards of the court, unaccompanied homeless youth, or self-supporting and at risk of homelessness may be eligible for independent status under federal financial aid regulations. If you believe you fall into one of these categories, log in to your PTC Pathway account and review your Financial Aid requirements for any outstanding documentation requests.

Submit all required documentation through your Pathway account. Once the Financial Aid Office has received and reviewed your documentation, you will be notified of the decision through your official Piedmont Technical College student email account.

The following situations generally do not qualify for an Unusual Circumstances Professional Judgment review:

  • Parents refuse to contribute to the student's education.
  • Parents refuse to provide information for the FAFSA or verification process.
  • Parents do not claim the student as a dependent on their tax return.
  • The student demonstrates financial self-sufficiency.
  • The student already meets one of the FAFSA criteria for independent status, including: 
    • Being 24 or older by January 1 of the award year
    • Being married
    • Enrolled in a master's or doctoral program
    • Serving on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces (other than training)
    • Having children or other dependents who receive more than half of their support from the student
    • Being an orphan, foster youth, ward of the court, or former ward of the court
    • Being an emancipated minor
    • Being an unaccompanied homeless youth or self-supporting and at risk of homelessness

Please note: Approval of a Professional Judgment request does not guarantee an increase in financial aid eligibility or eligibility for additional aid programs.

Questions?

Students who would like to discuss their circumstances before submitting a Professional Judgment request may contact:

Tycie Stewart
Email: [email protected]
Phone:864-941-8546

Students are encouraged to reach out before submitting a Professional Judgment request if they have questions about eligibility, required documentation, or the review process.