Professional Judgment Forms

In special circumstances, the Financial Aid Director may perform a professional judgment and use expected income that better reflects your family’s financial situation.

To request professional judgment:

Print out the appropriate professional judgment form. Complete the forms in their entirety and attach all required documentation.

Return all information to the address listed below. Forms with incomplete/missing information will automatically be returned to the sender.

LaNita Robinson
Lake Superior College
2101 Trinity Road
Duluth MN 55811
218-733-7616

You must first, however, complete the FAFSA using actual income. The judgment is made after the FAFSA has been submitted.

Professional Judgment for Dependent Students

If the parent(s) of a dependent student had a change in income due to a layoff or other involuntary loss of taxed or untaxed income, their income used to complete the FAFSA may no longer be an accurate indicator of your family’s ability to contribute toward your educational costs.

The Professional Judgment Form you complete depends on when you were laid off or when the involuntary reduction of income first occurred. Please choose the appropriate link listed below.

2018-2019 Academic Year

Layoff or loss of income occurred in 2017

Layoff or loss of income occurred in 2016

2017-2018 Academic Year

Layoff or loss of income occurred in 2015

Layoff or loss of income occurred in 2016 or 2017

Professional Judgment for Independent Students

If you or your spouse have had a change in income due to a layoff or other involuntary loss of taxed or untaxed income, your income used to complete the FAFSA may no longer be an accurate indicator of your family’s ability to contribute toward your educational costs.

Make sure you choose the correct Professional Judgment Form listed below. If you, the student, have been laid off, are not currently employed and qualify/qualified for unemployment benefits, choose form #1.

2018-2019 Academic Year

  1. Student is currently laid off, not working and qualifies/qualified for unemployment benefits
  2. The student’s spouse has been laid off or the student/spouse has had an involuntary loss of income (not a layoff) that occurred in 2016
  3. The student’s spouse has been laid off or the student’s spouse has had an involuntary loss of income (not a layoff) that occurred in 2017

2017-2018 Academic Year

  1. Student is currently laid off, not working and qualifies/qualified for unemployment benefits
  2. The student’s spouse has been laid off or the student/spouse has had an involuntary loss of income (not a layoff) that occurred in 2015
  3. The student’s spouse has been laid off or the student’s spouse has had an involuntary loss of income (not a layoff) that occurred in 2016 or 2017