Self-Serve tier

College Financial Aid Office Professional Judgment (PJ) appeal analysis under HEA §479A + 34 CFR §668.16(d). Walks through special-circumstances + unusual-circumstances categories, supporting documentation, dependency override path, COA increase appeals, and aid stacking implicat

FERPA student records request analysis under 20 USC §1232g + 34 CFR Part 99. Walks parent/eligible student through right of inspection (45-day response deadline), amendment request and hearing procedure, directory information opt-out, third-party disclosure exceptions, and compla

IEP (IDEA) vs 504 plan (Rehabilitation Act §504) distinction analysis. Determines which framework applies to student's disability and educational need, eligibility scope under 20 USC §1401(3) (IDEA "child with a disability") vs 29 USC §794 + 34 CFR §104.3(j) (Section 504 "individ

School choice landscape analysis — charter, magnet, private (with voucher / ESA / scholarship tax credit), homeschool, microschool. Authority-grounded under Espinoza v. Montana Dept of Revenue (2020) + Carson v. Makin (2022) + state ESA / voucher statutes. Walks family through en

IDEA discipline manifestation determination review (MDR) analysis under 34 CFR §300.530 + 20 USC §1415(k). Computes 10-day cumulative removal trigger, MDR meeting timeline, two-part causal nexus test, IAES requirements, FBA / BIP obligations, and dangerousness exception. Authorit

IDEA due process complaint filing analysis under 34 CFR §300.507 + 20 USC §1415. Computes 2-year statute of limitations, drafts complaint elements, walks through 30-day resolution period, sufficiency challenge, hearing scheduling, and Stay-Put rule. Authority-grounded under Schaf

Student loan bankruptcy discharge analysis under 11 USC §523(a)(8) + Brunner test. Walks debtor through three-prong undue hardship test (Brunner v. NY State Higher Ed, 831 F.2d 395, 2d Cir. 1987), Totality of Circumstances alternative (Long, 8th Cir.), 2022 DOJ + ED guidance for

Borrower Defense to Repayment (BDR) discharge analysis under 34 CFR §685.206 + §685.222. Identifies school-misconduct grounds (substantial misrepresentation, breach of contract, judgment, aggressive recruitment), Sweet v. Cardona settlement class status, and discharge / refund pa

Income-Driven Repayment (IDR) and SAVE plan status analysis post-Eighth Circuit 2025 injunction. Walks borrower through current PAYE / IBR / ICR alternatives, forbearance status, interest accrual treatment, and PSLF qualifying payment treatment during litigation. Authority-ground

Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) qualification analysis under 34 CFR §685.219 + HEA §455(m). Computes 120-qualifying-payment progress, qualifying employer status, qualifying loan/repayment plan check, and PSLF Buyback eligibility. Embedded full-time threshold + qualifying r

Total and Permanent Disability (TPD) discharge analysis under 34 CFR §685.213 + 20 USC §1087(a). Walks through three certification paths (VA service-connected, SSA disability award, physician certification), three-year monitoring period (eliminated by 2021 final rule), automatic

Truancy and compulsory attendance defense analysis. Maps state-specific compulsory education statutes (typical age range 6-18), absence threshold triggering school referral / family court / criminal prosecution, available defenses (medical, religious, lawful homeschool, school-ca