All tests will include a combination of multiple-choice and scenario-based questions. The following examples are similar in structure and scope to the questions that will appear on the test for this topic.

1. Financial aid administrators should always seek to obtain and maintain __________ regarding changed circumstances in order to support their use of professional judgment.

• CORRECT: verifiable third-party documentation
• a letter of endorsement from the student’s academic advisor
• bank documents
• a letter of endorsement from a student’s colleague

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2. When a financial aid administrator exercises professional judgment, if the student disagrees with the decision,

• the only recourse is for the student to appeal the decision to the institution’s President.
• the only recourse is for the student to appeal the decision to the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Education through the Office of the Ombudsman.
• CORRECT: the decision is final and cannot be appealed.
• under the Automatic Review Policy of 2014, the student may request the action be reviewed and confirmed by an independent committee at the institution.

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3. A dependent student whose parents refuse to provide financial information on the FAFSA

• should be declared to be independent through the exercise of professional judgment.
• will have a 0 SAI, in accord with Executive Act 14-024 for Student Access.
• CORRECT: may be eligible for a Direct Unsubsidized Loan in certain circumstances.
• cannot qualify for Title IV aid unless she convinces her parents to provide the financial information on the FAFSA.

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4. A financial aid administrator may exercise professional judgment to deny a student access to federal Direct Loans

• in a Title IV eligible online program, if the direct costs can be met in any combination of grant or scholarship aid.
• CORRECT: if the student informs the administrator in writing that they have no intention of ever repaying any student loan.
• if the earning potential based on documented Gainful Employment earnings data verifies an inability to pay the loan.
• if the institution’s policies and procedures clearly indicate that students enrolled half-time will not be allowed to borrow.

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