An aid administrator recently asked: if a student worked for half the year before becoming unemployed, should I reduce the students income from working to zero or just reduce the unemployment compensation to zero for the number of months the student will receive unemployment compensation during the twelve month period I am using to replace the base year?
Good question!
The truth is, you can do either. While guidance in GEN 09-05 confirms that it is allowable to reduce both income from work and unemployment compensation to zero for a student, the aid administrator has the authority to make appropriate adjustments to account for unusual circumstances as long as the reason for those adjustments are backed up with supporting documentation unique to that student’s situation.
The department was careful not to prescribe any specific methodology that would limit or dictate an aid administrators thoughtful use of professional judgment.
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