Once a PJ application is approved please allow 7 – 10 business days for a student’s financial aid award to be updated.
Note: PJ Approvals due to a COA increase do not result in an increase in financial aid.
FAQs Related to Applying for Aid
At this time, only the 23-24 Professional Judgement application is available to complete. The 23-24 Professional Judgement form considers extenuating circumstances that have occurred in 2023, thus is based on the 2023 expected income.
Applications are by request only, students may request an application via email or in office.
Email our department at sfasapandpj@ucf.edu. Be sure to include “Professional Judgement” in the subject line and provide a detailed explanation of your special circumstance. Please allow 3-5 business days for a response.
Guidelines for submitting documents can be found on our Forms page.
Outcome will be determined and sent to the student via their UCF email address within 3-4 weeks of submission of a complete appeal.
Note: Incomplete submissions should expect a longer time frame as they will be pended until requested documentation is received. Once student submits all additional required documentation, outcome will be determined within 3-4 weeks from that time.
When a student has a pending PJ To-Do List item this will block financial aid from paying. The student may request the PJ be temporarily canceled to give time for current financial aid to disburse.
The chart below lists the type of supporting documentation REQUIRED for various categories of Professional Judgement:
Failure to submit all applicable, required documentation listed will result in a delay and possible denial of your PJ application.
Reason for Professional Judgement Petition | Documents Required |
---|---|
Loss or Change of Employment and/or Income |
|
Divorce or Separation |
|
Death of a Parent or Spouse |
|
Disability |
|
Reduction in Child Support |
|
Unusual Medical/Dental Expenses |
|
Elementary/Secondary Tuition Expenses |
|
Dependent Care Expenses |
|
Computer Purchase |
|
Professional Licensure |
|
Students with a denial outcome will receive the specified reason for the decision in their denial outcome email. Students have the option to be re-evaluated only if they have new documentation to submit. Students have the option to submit a signed copy of their family’s 2023 tax return once they become available for reconsideration.
Due to the fluctuating nature of self-employment, sales-based, and commission-based pay it is impossible to estimate what the income will be for the entire year. The alternative to this is for the family to submit a signed copy of their 2023 tax returns once they become available to be evaluated for the entire 23-24 aid year.
Due to the fluctuating nature of self-employment, sales-based, and commission-based pay it is impossible to estimate what the income will be for the entire year. The alternative to this is for the family to submit a signed copy of their 2023 tax returns once they become available to be evaluated for the entire 23-24 aid year.
A Professional Judgement review is a courtesy, not a requirement; a student has 45 days from the day of the initial request to submit to avoid being denied due to inactivity. Students have the option to submit a signed copy of their family’s 2023 tax return once they become available if they are unable to provide what is initially requested.
All PJ applications are required to have a detailed letter of explanation and supporting documentation.
If your PJ application is incomplete, you will be sent an email notification to your UCF email account detailing what we are missing. We will also place a PJ Pending item on the To-Do list on your myUCF Student Self Service Center.
Examples of why an appeal may be pending:
- Missing signatures
- No explanation
- No documentation provided
Note: If pending items are not received within 45 days of initial request the appeal will be cancelled due to inactivity.