{"id":25645,"date":"2025-11-06T09:00:04","date_gmt":"2025-11-06T17:00:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wou.edu\/finaid\/?page_id=25645"},"modified":"2026-02-09T13:52:26","modified_gmt":"2026-02-09T21:52:26","slug":"professional-judgement-appeals","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/wou.edu\/finaid\/managing-my-aid\/professional-judgement-appeals\/","title":{"rendered":"Professional Judgement Appeals"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[et_pb_section fb_built=&#8221;1&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.16&#8243; custom_padding=&#8221;14px|||||&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_row _builder_version=&#8221;4.16&#8243; custom_margin=&#8221;|auto|31px|173px||&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;0px||0px|||&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;4_4&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.16&#8243; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.16&#8243; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h1>ABOUT MY AID<\/h1>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=&#8221;1_4,3_4&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.16&#8243; background_size=&#8221;initial&#8221; background_position=&#8221;top_left&#8221; background_repeat=&#8221;repeat&#8221; custom_margin=&#8221;-31px|auto||auto||&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;1_4&#8243; disabled_on=&#8221;on|on|off&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.16&#8243; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_text disabled_on=&#8221;off|off|off&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; custom_margin=&#8221;||0px|||&#8221; global_module=&#8221;4626&#8243; saved_tabs=&#8221;all&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<p><b>Understanding my aid<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/wou.edu\/finaid\/glossary-terms-2\/financial-literacy\/\">Financial Literacy<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/wou.edu\/finaid\/glossary-terms-2\/financial-aid-faqs\/\">Frequently Asked Questions<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/cdn.wou.edu\/finaid\/files\/2018\/06\/DOJ-Student_Loan_Fraud_Sheet_poster11x17_alliance.pdf\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Signs of Student Loan Fraud<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/cdn.wou.edu\/finaid\/files\/2025\/04\/Glossary-of-Terms-Doc-for-AL.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Glossary of Terms<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/wou.edu\/finaid\/managing-my-aid\/2026-2027-federal-updates\/\" target=\"_blank\">2026-2027 Federal Financial Aid Changes<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_divider color=&#8221;#db0a29&#8243; divider_weight=&#8221;5px&#8221; disabled_on=&#8221;off|off|off&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.2.2&#8243; custom_margin=&#8221;||7px|||&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;||10px|||&#8221; global_module=&#8221;4539&#8243; saved_tabs=&#8221;all&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][\/et_pb_divider][et_pb_text disabled_on=&#8221;off|off|off&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; global_module=&#8221;4627&#8243; saved_tabs=&#8221;all&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<p><strong>Managing my aid<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/wou.edu\/finaid\/managing-my-aid\/course-participation\/\">Course Participation<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/wou.edu\/finaid\/managing-my-aid\/eligibility\/\">Eligibility<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/wou.edu\/finaid\/managing-my-aid\/important-dates\/\">Important Dates and Deadlines<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/wou.edu\/finaid\/managing-my-aid\/satisfactory-academic-progress\/\">Satisfactory Academic Progress<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/wou.edu\/finaid\/managing-my-aid\/student-rights-responsibilities\/\">Student Rights &amp; Responsibilities<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/wou.edu\/finaid\/managing-my-aid\/withdrawals\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Withdrawals<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/wou.edu\/finaid\/managing-my-aid\/professional-judgement-appeals\/\">Professional Judgement Appeals<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=&#8221;3_4&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.16&#8243; custom_padding=&#8221;|||&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; custom_padding__hover=&#8221;|||&#8221;][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.5&#8243; header_2_font_size=&#8221;24px&#8221; background_size=&#8221;initial&#8221; background_position=&#8221;top_left&#8221; background_repeat=&#8221;repeat&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;0px|||||&#8221; hover_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; sticky_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243;]<\/p>\n<h2><span>Professional Judgement Appeals<\/span><\/h2>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; hover_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; sticky_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243;]<\/p>\n<p>The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA\u00ae) determines how much aid you are eligible to receive to pay for your educational costs. However, there are some special or unusual circumstances that cannot be documented on the FAFSA\u00ae form. The following circumstances may be considered through a Professional Judgement Appeal.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Special Circumstances SAI Appeal:<\/strong><span>\u00a0<\/span>You, or your family, have experienced a significant change in your financial circumstances.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Special Circumstances COA Appeal:<\/strong><span>\u00a0<\/span>You have additional costs associated with your educational pursuits.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Unusual Circumstances Appeal:<\/strong><span>\u00a0<\/span>You are considered a dependent student but have an unusual circumstance that prevents you from contacting your parents or obtaining their information.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>If you believe any of these special or unusual circumstances apply to you, please log into your StudentForms account and submit a Professional Judgement Appeal. The Financial Aid office will review it and contact you with next steps.<\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_button button_url=&#8221;https:\/\/wou.studentforms.com\/&#8221; url_new_window=&#8221;on&#8221; button_text=&#8221;Open StudentForms Account&#8221; button_alignment=&#8221;center&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][\/et_pb_button][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; hover_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; sticky_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243;]<\/p>\n<p><span>**Please note, incomplete appeals will not be considered until all relevant documents have been received and reviewed. In addition, all decisions are final and cannot be appealed.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=&#8221;4.16&#8243; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;4_4&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.16&#8243; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_text disabled_on=&#8221;off|off|on&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.2.2&#8243; custom_margin=&#8221;||0px|||&#8221; global_module=&#8221;4902&#8243; saved_tabs=&#8221;all&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<p><b>Understanding my aid<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/wou.edu\/finaid\/glossary-terms-2\/financial-literacy\/\">Financial Literacy<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/wou.edu\/finaid\/glossary-terms-2\/financial-aid-faqs\/\">Frequently Asked Questions<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/cdn.wou.edu\/finaid\/files\/2018\/06\/DOJ-Student_Loan_Fraud_Sheet_poster11x17_alliance.pdf\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Signs of Student Loan Fraud<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_divider color=&#8221;#db0a29&#8243; divider_weight=&#8221;5px&#8221; disabled_on=&#8221;off|off|on&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.16&#8243; custom_margin=&#8221;||7px|||&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;||10px|||&#8221; saved_tabs=&#8221;all&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][\/et_pb_divider][et_pb_text disabled_on=&#8221;off|off|on&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.16&#8243; saved_tabs=&#8221;all&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<p><strong>Managing my aid<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/wou.edu\/finaid\/managing-my-aid\/eligibility\/\">Eligibility<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/wou.edu\/finaid\/managing-my-aid\/important-dates\/\">Important Dates and Deadlines<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/wou.edu\/finaid\/managing-my-aid\/student-rights-responsibilities\/\">Student Rights &amp; Responsibilities<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=&#8221;4.16&#8243; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;4_4&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.16&#8243; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; min_height=&#8221;127px&#8221; custom_margin=&#8221;26px|||||&#8221; global_module=&#8221;4762&#8243; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h3>Contact<\/h3>\n<h4>Financial Aid Office <strong>toll free<\/strong><span>\u00a0<\/span><strong>1-877-877-1593<\/strong><span>\u00a0| or\u00a0<\/span><strong>e-mail:<\/strong><span><a href=\"mailto:erviga@wou.edu\">\u00a0finaid@wou.edu\u00a0<\/a><\/span><span>|<\/span><span>\u00a0<\/span><strong>Location<\/strong><span>: Welcome Center 140<\/span><\/h4>\n<p>In-person services are Monday through Thursday 8am to 5pm and Friday 10am to 5pm. <b>**Walk-in appointments are available on a first-come, first-served basis on the following days\/times:<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Monday, 9:00 am \u2013 Noon<br \/><span><\/span><\/li>\n<li>Monday, 1:00 \u2013 4:00 pm<br \/><span><\/span><\/li>\n<li>Thursday, 2:00 \u2013 4:00 pm<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>Schedule in-person\/phone\/virtual appointments with your counselor using the <\/b><span><a href=\"https:\/\/www2.wou.edu\/nora\/portal.home\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow noreferrer\"><b>Navigate<\/b><\/a><\/span><span><b>\u00a0icon.<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>ABOUT MY AID Understanding my aid Financial Literacy&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1592,"featured_media":0,"parent":850,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"splash-page.php","meta":{"_seopress_robots_primary_cat":"","_seopress_titles_title":"","_seopress_titles_desc":"","_seopress_robots_index":"","_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"<!-- wp:divi\/placeholder \/-->","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"class_list":["post-25645","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/wou.edu\/finaid\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/25645","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/wou.edu\/finaid\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/wou.edu\/finaid\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wou.edu\/finaid\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1592"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wou.edu\/finaid\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=25645"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/wou.edu\/finaid\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/25645\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":26229,"href":"https:\/\/wou.edu\/finaid\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/25645\/revisions\/26229"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wou.edu\/finaid\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/850"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/wou.edu\/finaid\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=25645"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}