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2026-2027 Professional Judgment Request

Note: All fields marked with a * below are required. All other fields are optional.

User Information

 
 
 

Indicate the nature of your request for professional judgment. Check all that apply. Complete and submit this form along with the required documentation and explanation of circumstances. Requests submitted without required documentation will not be considered.

Check the circumstances surrounding your request and provide an explanation in the Explanation of Circumstances field below.

ADJUSTMENT TO STUDENT AID INDEX (SAI) OR COST OF ATTENDANCE BUDGET (COA)







Click Here to See previous explanation for specific requirements.
a. Childcare or dependent care costs for dependent children - A dependent care allowance for dependent children may be allowable in the student’s cost of attendance if the service is provided by an HRS-approved childcare center, an agency-approved au pair, or a non-HRS approved childcare provider who is not an immediate family member. The amount of the allowance is based on the number and age of the student’s dependents and should not exceed the reasonable cost in the community for the type of care provided. See chart below. The amounts may be prorated for less than 12 months and adjusted on a per-child basis, as applicable.
Age of child Maximum Amount per 12 Months
Up to 1 year $14,820
1 up to 2 years $14,591
2 up to 3 years $14,266
3 up to 4 years $13,942
4 up to 5 years $11,915
6 up to 12 years $3,623

b. Excessive childcare costs for dependent children - Excessive childcare costs for dependent children may be allowable for professional judgment if the service is provided by an HRS-approved childcare center, an agency-approved au pair, or a non-HRS approved childcare provider who is not an immediate family member, and the childcare costs exceed the amounts listed above. The amounts may be prorated for less than 12 months and adjusted on a per-child basis, as applicable.

Students must provide a completed 2026-2027 Professional Judgment Child Care Statement or a notarized statement from a childcare provider/au pair agency as well as a letter explaining why a childcare provider was chosen who exceeds the average costs indicated above. All statements must include the name of each child, age of each child, and the amount of cost per week for each child. Adjustments to the budget will NOT be made for childcare provided by an immediate family member.


Click Here to See previous explanation for specific requirements.
c. Travel budget adjustments may be made for students required to travel to off-campus locations to complete course-related work only (i.e., students performing clerkships or rotations). Students must travel more than 50 miles from their home base (online students) or campus (residential and regional campus students) in order to be considered for a travel budget adjustment. A letter from the program advisor stating the travel is a mandatory component of the program and paid and/or proposed documentation for the related expenses are required. Only reasonable expenses will be considered. Requested amounts may be reduced based on the transportation allocation that is already included in the student's cost of attendance budget.






(If the NSU financial aid office has previously approved a dependency override for you, attach a signed letter certifying that your circumstances remain unchanged for the 2026-27 academic year.)


If none of the above conditions apply to your situation, explain your extenuating circumstances and provide documentation to substantiate your request.


 


 
 
 

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