PJ
ID #
Name
15/16
2015-2016 Professional Judgment Application
Under federal guidelines, financial aid administrators are allowed to use Professional Judgment to re-evaluate a student’s
eligibility for federal and institutional financial aid programs based on unique and unusual circumstances. The following
information will guide you through the Professional Judgment process.
Professional Judgment Steps
1.
Complete the 2015-2016 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and submit online at www.fafsa.ed.gov
and use Liberty University’s school code: 010392.
2.
Complete “Verification”. If you were not previously selected by the U.S. Department of Education for Verification,
you will be institutionally selected for the Verification process once you submit this form, please refer to the
following table to determine basic verification requirements. If additional verification documentation is needed, you
will be notified via your ASIST account.
Dependent Students
• 2015-2016 Dependent Verification form, completed
and signed by the student and at least one parent
• A copy of parents’ 2014 IRS tax return transcript
• A copy of your 2014 IRS tax return transcript
Independent Students
• 2015-2016 Independent Verification form,
completed and signed
• A copy of your 2014 IRS tax return transcript
• A copy of your spouse’s 2014 IRS tax return
transcript (if applicable)
Families who use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool may need to submit a copy of the parent’s and/or student’s 2014
IRS tax return transcript. Be sure to check required documents for each professional judgment request. To obtain a
copy of your/your parents’ 2014 IRS Tax Return Transcript, you/your parents may go to http://www.irs.gov and click
on “Get Transcript of Your Tax Records.” Complete all personal information as requested. When presented with the
Type of Transcript, please select “Return Transcript.” You/ your parent may also fill out a form 4506-T or EZ or
contact the IRS and order by phone by calling 800-908-9946 and following the prompts in the recorded message.
According to the IRS, the transcript should be received within 10 business days from the time the IRS receives the
request.
3.
Your application cannot be considered for evaluation unless all documentation is attached. Include your
student ID# on all documentation you are submitting to prevent delay of your Professional Judgment review.
Please fax to: (434) 582-2053 or scan and email to: financialaid@liberty.edu .
4.
Monitor your ASIST and Liberty e-mail accounts for information regarding your Professional Judgment request.
*Note: It is important that you continue to submit any other required documents for financial aid
processing and meet all registration and Financial Check-In deadlines while waiting for the
outcome of your Professional Judgment to avoid any late fees or dropping of classes, housing, or
other related aid eligibility.
Liberty University’s Financial Aid Office
1971 University Boulevard • Lynchburg, VA 24515 • Phone: (888) 583-5704 • Fax: (434) 582-2053
Web Site: http://www.liberty.edu/financialaid • E-mail: financialaid@liberty.edu
PJ
ID #
Name
15/16
Reason for Professional Judgment Request (check all that apply)
LOSS OF EMPLOYMENT
Qualifications: Similar to most unemployment offices, our policy requires the loss of employment must be due to
circumstances beyond the employee’s control (e.g. layoff, downsizing, etc.). We are permitted to review loss of
employment that took place after June 30, 2014 and before December 31, 2015.
Documentation Needed:
1. Official documentation verifying the date and reason for job loss (e.g. severance letter, unemployment decision,
etc.)
2. Final paycheck stub(s) received
3. Unemployment history summary reporting the benefits received to date and balance remaining in 2015
4. Copy of 2014 IRS Tax Return Transcript:
a. Dependent students should submit their parents’ IRS tax return transcripts.
b. Independent students should submit their (and their spouse’s, if applicable) IRS tax return
transcript.
5. Copy of all W-2’s reported on the 2014 IRS Tax Return Transcript.
*After December 31, 2015: Please submit a signed copy of your 2015 IRS tax return transcript, all W-2s and
schedules in lieu items 2 and 3 listed above. Item 1 listed above is still required.
Actions considered to be within the employee’s control and therefore not considered for
Professional Judgment include, but are not limited to the following:
1. Any actions leading to termination regardless of reason or later approval for
unemployment.
2. Relocation for new job of employee or spouse.
3. Resignations outside of medical reasons for employee or immediate family member of
student.
LOSS OF SELF-EMPLOYMENT INCOME
Qualifications: Our policy requires the loss of self-employment income must be due to circumstances beyond the
owner’s control. Only a reduction in gross income (before expenses) will be considered for schedule C income. We are
permitted to review loss of self-employment income that took place after June 30, 2014 and before December 31,
2015.
Documentation Needed:
1. Documentation supporting reason behind the loss of self-employment income.
2. Copy of 2014 IRS Tax Return Transcript:
a. Dependent students should submit their parents’ IRS tax return transcripts.
b. Independent students should submit their (and their spouse’s, if applicable) IRS tax
return transcript.
3. Income Statement showing net earned income for the 2015 tax year.
*After December 31, 2015: Please submit a signed copy of your 2015 IRS tax return transcript, all
W-2s and tax schedules in lieu of items 2 and 3 listed above. Item 1 listed above is still required.
Professional Judgment for Loss/Reduction of Self-Employment Income will not be considered for:
1. Reduction in business hours.
2. Bankruptcy of the business.
3. Past business debts and/or expenses.
4. Other voluntary decisions that impacted revenue.
Liberty University’s Financial Aid Office
1971 University Boulevard • Lynchburg, VA 24515 • Phone: (888) 583-5704 • Fax: (434) 582-2053
Web Site: http://www.liberty.edu/financialaid • E-mail: financialaid@liberty.edu
PJ
ID #
Name
15/16
REDUCTION OF SELF-EMPLOYMENT INCOME
Qualifications: Our policy requires the loss of self-employment income must be due to circumstances beyond the
owner’s control. Only a reduction in gross income (before expenses) will be considered for schedule C income. We are
permitted to review loss of self-employment income that took place after June 30, 2014 and before December 31,
2015.
Documentation Needed:
1. Documentation supporting reason behind the loss of self-employment income.
2. Copy of 2014 IRS Tax Return Transcript:
a. Dependent students should submit their parents’ IRS tax return transcripts.
b. Independent students should submit their (and their spouse’s, if applicable) IRS tax
return transcript.
3. Pro Forma Income Statement projecting income for the 2015 tax year.
Professional Judgment for Loss/Reduction of Self-Employment Income will not be considered for:
1. Reduction in business hours.
2. Bankruptcy of the business.
3. Past business debts and/or expenses.
4. Other voluntary decisions that impacted revenue.
*After December 31, 2015: Please submit a signed copy of your 2015 IRS tax return transcript, all W-2s and schedules
in lieu items 2 and 3 listed above. Item 1 listed above is still required.
REDUCTION OF INCOME, Check all that apply.
REDUCTION IN WAGES/HOURS: Current employer has reduced wages and/or hours for a period of 10
weeks or more in 2015 for you, your spouse, or your parent (if dependent).
Documentation Needed:
1. Employer documentation verifying the mandated change in employment status (e.g. furlough)
2. Copy of pay check stub before reduction and a copy of most recent pay stub since the reduction received
from employer in the year 2014
3. Copy of 2014 IRS Tax Return Transcript:
a. Dependent students should submit their parents’ IRS tax return transcripts.
b. Independent students should submit their (and their spouse’s, if applicable) IRS tax
return transcript.
REDUCTION OF INCOME/BENEFITS: You, your spouse, or your parent(s), if dependent, lost
income or benefits outside of employment (i.e. child support, unemployment, etc.).
Documentation Needed:
1. Third-Party official documentation reporting the date and reason the income or benefit was
terminated/exhausted
2. Copy of 2014 IRS Tax Return Transcript:
a. Dependent students should submit their parents’ IRS tax return transcripts.
b. Independent students should submit their (and their spouse’s, if applicable) IRS tax
return transcript.
Liberty University’s Financial Aid Office
1971 University Boulevard • Lynchburg, VA 24515 • Phone: (888) 583-5704 • Fax: (434) 582-2053
Web Site: http://www.liberty.edu/financialaid • E-mail: financialaid@liberty.edu
PJ
ID #
Name
15/16
REDUCTION OF INCOME CONTINUED…
REDUCTION OF INCOME DUE TO MEDICAL LEAVE: You, your spouse, or your
parent(s), if dependent, lost income due to medical leave related to the illness or injury of an
immediate family member of the student (or spouse, if independent).
1. Doctor’s note indicating the illness/injury that related to the lost income to the family and
dates surrounding the medical leave.
2. Disability, worker’s compensation or other applicable documentation showing any income
generated while on medical leave as a result of the medical leave.
3. Last full paystub before the medical leave of the employee who lost income.
WITHDRAWAL OF PENSION: You, your spouse, or your parent(s), if dependent, had to make a one-time
withdrawal/distribution of pension due to hardships (e.g. loss of employment).
Documentation Needed:
1. Signed copy of 2013 IRS tax return transcript.
2. Signed statement clarifying the reason the withdrawal was made.
3. Copy of 2014 IRS Tax Return Transcript:
a. Dependent students should submit their parents’ IRS tax return transcripts.
b. Independent students should submit their (and their spouse’s, if applicable) IRS tax
return transcript.
*After December 31, 2015: Please submit a signed copy of your 2015 IRS tax return transcript, all W-2s and schedules
along with all other documentation listed.
DIVORCE OR SEPARATION
Qualifications: You/your parents have divorced or separated since you completed your FAFSA.
Documentation Needed:
1. A signed statement reporting the date of separation AND two (2) official documents (e.g. copy of lease, utility
bill, credit card bill, driver’s license, etc.) verifying the physical address of the absent spouse/parent
(no P.O. boxes).
-OR2. Divorce Decree
3. Copy of 2014 IRS Tax Return Transcript:
a. Dependent students should submit their parents’ IRS tax return transcripts.
b. Independent students should submit their (and their spouse’s, if applicable) IRS tax
return transcript.
UNUSUAL MEDICAL/DENTAL EXPENSES
Qualifications: Expenses for 2014 medical and/or dental must be out-of-pocket (i.e. not what the insurance paid)
for you, your spouse (if independent) and/or your parent(s) (if dependent).
Documentation Needed:
1. Schedule A from your 2014 Income Tax Return Schedule (Itemized Deductions schedule)
-OR2. Copies of cancelled checks for your 2014 out-of-pocket payment(s) or 2014 receipts of payments.
Liberty University’s Financial Aid Office
1971 University Boulevard • Lynchburg, VA 24515 • Phone: (888) 583-5704 • Fax: (434) 582-2053
Web Site: http://www.liberty.edu/financialaid • E-mail: financialaid@liberty.edu
PJ
ID #
Name
15/16
DEATH OF PARENT OR SPOUSE
Qualifications: Your spouse/parent has died since you completed your FAFSA.
Documentation Needed:
1. A copy of the death certificate or published newspaper obituary with date of death.
2. Copy of 2014 IRS Tax Return Transcript:
a. Dependent students should submit their parents’ IRS tax return transcripts.
b. Independent students should submit their (and their spouse’s, if applicable) IRS tax
return transcript.
PRIVATE SCHOOL TUITION
Qualifications: Elementary/secondary tuition only expenses paid in 2014 (January 2014-December 2014)
Documentation Needed:
1. Documentation on school letterhead reporting amount of elementary/secondary school tuition ONLY paid
2. January--December 2014.
- Dependent students, this is for your siblings only.
- Independent students, this can only be for your dependent children.
(Fees, books, supplies, etc. cannot be included in this amount).
COLLEGE TUITION COST FOR PARENTS
Qualifications: Parent(s) must be enrolled at least half-time per semester/quarter, in a regionally accredited
institution, and working towards a degree, certificate, or program leading to a recognized education credential at an
institution with a program participation agreement under Section 487.
Documentation Needed:
1. Documentation on official letterhead from the college reporting parent’s:
(A) Tuition Expenses
(B) Number of Credit Hours
(C) Degree Program for the 2015-2016 Academic Year
Statement of Certification and Authorization
If circumstances change, I/we accept the responsibility for contacting the Financial Aid Office in writing with the corrected
information. I also understand that submitting this form late in any term may eliminate potential eligibility due to
processing time, awarding, and disbursement requirements. All submitted documentation becomes part of the official
record and therefore cannot be returned. Documents that become part of the Education Record are protected for
privacy under federal law.
By signing this worksheet, you (we) certify that all the information reported on it is complete and correct. Because
this information may affect federal aid eligibility, purposely giving false or misleading information may cause you to
be fined up to $20,000.00, sent to prison or both.
Student Signature
Date
Parent Signature (if a dependent student)
Date
Liberty University’s Financial Aid Office
1971 University Boulevard • Lynchburg, VA 24515 • Phone: (888) 583-5704 • Fax: (434) 582-2053
Web Site: http://www.liberty.edu/financialaid • E-mail: financialaid@liberty.edu