<p>Here’s an understanding from the “Dear Colleague Letter” issued by the Department of Education [GEN-09-05:</a> Update on Professional Judgment by Financial Aid Administrators](<a href=“http://www.nasfaa.org/publications/2009/eaprofjudg051109.html]GEN-09-05:”>http://www.nasfaa.org/publications/2009/eaprofjudg051109.html). Basically it says that the income for the individual could be counted as zero sincve they no longer earn anything (due to the loss of the job) and that the unemployment benefits could also be counted as zero. While I agree with Kelsmom that it is early in this process and guidance is still lacking, I sincerely do believe that it would allow households with a single wage earner to have their EFC reduced to zero under a professional judgment.</p>