Find out how to request a professional judgment if you have special and/or unusual circumstances not reflected on your FAFSA.
In accordance with Federal regulations, University of Maryland Global Campus may take into account special and/or unusual circumstances that are not reflected in the information provided on a student's Free Application for Federal Student Aid, but may affect the family's ability to pay for a college education.
When appropriate, adjustments may be made to
- Student Aid Index (SAI)
- Cost of Attendance (COA)
- Dependency status
Submissions are reviewed on a case-by-case basis and require sufficient documentation. Appeal documents may be submitted and reviewed throughout the academic year. However, Professional Judgment adjustments can only be processed during a student’s active enrollment period. Please note that submission of an appeal does not guarantee approval, and approval of an appeal does not guarantee the receipt of additional financial aid. Students remain responsible for all outstanding balances owed to UMGC.
2026–2027 Academic Year Appeals and Processes
Adjustments to financial aid resulting from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) do not, on their own, constitute sufficient grounds for a Professional Judgment (PJ) appeal. PJ appeals should only be submitted by students experiencing Special Circumstances, Unusual Circumstances, or those requesting a Cost of Attendance (COA) adjustment, as outlined below.
Significant changes in your family's income may merit recalculating your financial aid eligibility. Please review the information below to determine if you have an eligible reason for appeal.
Eligible Reasons for Requesting a Special Circumstances Appeal
- Loss of employment that has resulted in a minimum 20 percent reduction of income. This income reduction must be documented for a minimum of 10 weeks.
- Loss of untaxed income. This includes the loss of social security, AFDC/TANF, child support, alimony, disability payment, worker's compensation, or other untaxed income.
- Change in marital status during the 2026–27 calendar year. The student (dependent or independent) marries or parent (if dependent) or spouse (if independent) is no longer residing in household due to separation or divorce after the FAFSA has been filed.
- Death of parent or spouse. The student's parent (if dependent) or spouse (if independent) passes away after the FAFSA has been filed.
- Permanent and total disability. Parent (if dependent), student or spouse (if independent) suffered a permanent and total disability.
If you are an independent student, you may submit a 2026–27 Independent Special Circumstances Appeal form for review. If you are a dependent student, may submit a 2026-27 Dependent Special Circumstances Appeal form for review.
Your form must be completed in full and returned to the Office of Financial Aid with supporting documentation for your specific circumstance. Carefully review the form to ensure you include all required supporting documents.
Before proceeding, please note that a Special Circumstances Appeal may not be the most appropriate option if you already have a Student Aid Index (SAI) of 0 or –1500, have earned a bachelor’s degree, or have reached or exceeded your Federal Pell Grant lifetime eligibility limits. Additionally, if you are not meeting Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) requirements, you are not eligible for financial aid until you meet SAP standards.
After receiving your appeal, the Office of Financial Aid will notify you within 5 to 7 business days via e-mail if any additional information is needed to support your appeal. Please monitor your email account and MyUMGC student portal regularly and respond promptly to any requests.
Incomplete appeals will not be accepted or reviewed. If you are unable to provide any of the required supporting documents, you must include a written explanation detailing why the information is unavailable.
Special Circumstances Appeal forms and supporting documentation must be submitted through the DocuSign forms outlined above. Appeals must be processed during active enrollment.
A decision will typically be rendered in 10 business days after your completed appeal is received by the UMGC Office of Financial Aid. All appeal decisions are final.
Submission of an appeal does not guarantee approval of an appeal. Additionally, approval of an appeal does not guarantee receipt of additional aid. You are responsible for all outstanding charges with UMGC.
A Special Circumstances Appeal is different from the Exceptions to Course Drop and Withdrawal and Refund Policies (Academic Appeals). Get information about refund exceptions at UMGC.
The U.S. Department of Education determines your student dependency status based on the information you provided on the FAFSA. In certain situations, students may submit an appeal to UMGC requesting that their dependency status be overridden. UMGC will use this process to review your situation and determine if you are eligible to be considered an independent student. An appeal can only be approved in certain limited and exceptional circumstances.
Important: The unwillingness and/or inability of your parents to financially support you and/or living on your own and paying your own bills are not by themselves reasons that demonstrate "exceptional circumstances" and cannot be considered.
To begin the appeal process, you must submit a 2026–2027 Unusual Circumstances Appeal Form. This form must be completed in full and returned to the Office of Financial Aid with documentation that supports your reason for appealing. You will be notified via email if additional documentation is required or if there are any questions regarding your submission. Please read the form carefully to ensure that you submit all required documents. Your appeal must contain the following:
- A signed and dated statement that includes a complete history of
- Your relationship with your biological and/or legally adoptive parents
- Specific dates of events that caused your separation from your parents
- Where you have lived since separating from your parents
- Sources of income (include copies of your 2024 W2 form(s) and signed federal Tax Return)
- An explanation of how you have supported yourself while living apart from your parents
- Two signed and dated letters from professionals (on their letterhead) documenting their first-hand knowledge of your exceptional circumstance. The Office of Financial Aid may contact these references for additional information or clarification of your situation.
- Professionals include clergy, counselors, social workers, police, physicians, etc.
- Letters should be detailed and refer to actual events—they should not be restatements of information you have shared about relevant events, but should reflect the writer's direct knowledge.
- Police reports may, in some cases, substitute for one of the required letters.
- Note: Statements from friends or family members are not acceptable.
Incomplete appeals will not be accepted or reviewed. If you are unable to provide any of the documents listed on the appeal form for your specific circumstance, please address the reason(s) for not providing that information in your statement.
If any additional information is needed, the Office of Financial Aid will notify you 5 to 7 business days after receiving your initial appeal submission. Please monitor your e-mail and MyUMGC so that you can respond promptly and appropriately to any requests made by our office.
A decision will typically be made within 10 business days of receipt of your complete submission. All appeal decisions are final and the student is responsible for any balance owed to UMGC, regardless of the outcome.
Submission of an appeal does not guarantee approval of an appeal. Additionally, approval of an appeal does not guarantee receipt of additional aid. You are responsible for all outstanding charges with UMGC.
The U.S. Department of Education holds UMGC accountable for all appeal decisions made.
Your Cost of Attendance is an estimate of what it costs to attend UMGC, including both direct and indirect expenses such as
- Tuition and fees
- Books and supplies
- Housing
- Transportation
- Personal expenses
If your actual education-related expenses are higher than the standard COA, you can request an adjustment to help with the extra costs, though it may not cover them entirely. Only one appeal is allowed per term. UMGC may deny the request or approve a lower amount.
COA adjustment requests must be for education-related expenses that are necessary, reasonable, and incurred during the term for which you are requesting review.
We use Federal guidelines to develop an estimated Cost of Attendance, or a financial aid budget, based on indirect and direct costs associated with your education at UMGC. In some cases, you can request to have your COA adjusted to meet your actual expenses.
Potential Additional Expenses
| Expense | Required Documentation |
|---|---|
| Auto repair costs other than routine maintenance | Itemized bill/receipt and proof of payment |
| Books and/or supplies | Receipts or proof of payment |
| Dependent care expenses | 2026–2027 Child/Dependent Additional Care Expense Form and supporting documentation as identified on the form |
| Expenses associated with a disability that are not covered by a third party | Itemized bill/receipt and proof of payment |
| Housing costs beyond those allotted in the COA | Copy of lease agreement/mortgage statement and receipts/proof of payment |
| Out-of-pocket medical expenses | Receipt/proof of payment or itemized unpaid bill showing amount to be paid out-of-pocket |
| Computer purchase | Receipt or estimated date within enrollment period |
Important Notes
- Expenses must occur within the term in which you are requesting an adjustment.
- Computer purchases are limited to one request every three academic years of attendance.
Expenses That Cannot Be Considered
Expenses not eligible for COA adjustments include, but are not limited to:
- Expenses incurred outside of enrollment for term in which appeal is submitted
- Credit card debt or personal loans
- Car payments or routine vehicle maintenance
- Standard living expenses (e.g., groceries, utility bills, or phone bills)
- Housing security deposits or repairs
- Relocation costs
- Expenses for other family members
- Private school tuition or tutoring for dependents
- Extracurricular or recreational costs
- Travel or vacation expenses
- Parents refusing to contribute or provide FAFSA information
How the Appeal May Affect Your Aid
If your COA increases, it means the budget up to which you can receive aid has increased; it does not guarantee additional aid.
- Federal loan limits still apply
- You may consider applying for additional funding options including:
You are responsible for completing any additional steps needed to secure funding.
To request a COA appeal review, submit the following:
- 2026–27 Cost of Attendance Form, including your personal statement explaining your circumstances
- For dependent care-only requests, please submit the 2026–2027 Child/Dependent Additional Care Expense Form
- Supporting documentation for each expense, which must include identifying information, dates, and proof of payment or billing
Incomplete submissions may delay processing, and additional documentation may be required.
Deadlines & Availability
COA appeal forms are available during active enrollment.
Deadline:
- At least 10 days prior to the end of your enrollment period
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to submit an appeal every year?
Yes. COA adjustments are not automatically renewed and must be requested each academic year, within a term of active enrollment. Only one appeal is allowed per term.
Can I include expenses from a previous year?
No. Only expenses incurred during the term in which appeal is submitted can be considered.
Will I receive an increase for the exact amount I request?
Not necessarily. All COA adjustments are reviewed on a case-by-case basis using established guidelines and standard budget calculations. Any approved increase must reflect a reasonable and allowable educational expense, and may differ from the amount you requested based on documentation and existing budget.
What happens if my actual expenses are less than the amount already included in my COA?
If the standard COA already includes a higher amount than what you are paying (for example, housing), we will keep the higher standard amount in your budget.
Will my financial aid increase automatically if my appeal is approved?
Not necessarily. An approved appeal may increase your eligibility, but you must take action to receive additional funds.
Can I request a COA increase for a computer?
Yes, if it is required for your program and purchased during your enrollment period. Computer purchases are limited to one request every three academic years of attendance.
What if my parents refuse to help pay for school?
This alone does not qualify for a COA appeal under federal guidelines. Please review requirements for Unusual Circumstances appeal or contact us to obtain information regarding Federal Unsubsidized Loan awarding process.
How long does the review process take?
Processing times vary depending on the completeness of your documentation and volume of requests. Typically, if all required documents are submitted, a decision is rendered within 10 days.
Tips for a Successful Appeal
- Be clear and specific in your personal statement.
- Submit complete and legible documentation prior to end of the enrollment period.
- Ensure all documents include:
- Your name (or student identifier)
- Dates of service or purchase
- Proof of payment or amount owed