The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) does not provide families with a place to explain special circumstances affecting their ability to pay for the student's education. The Federal Need Analysis Methodology (FM), which calculates a household's Estimated Family Contribution (EFC), is likewise a rigid formula; with no provisions for exceptions. To remedy this, Congress has delegated to the school's financial aid administrator(s) the authority to compensate for special circumstances on a case-by-case basis with adequate documentation. This authority is often referred to as a financial aid administrator's ability to make a "Professional Judgment".
If you believe you have special circumstances that warrant a Professional Judgment from a UNK Financial Aid Counselor, please complete the Special Circumstances Form listed below in its entirety.
