<p>“Reed uses the PROFILE as well as their own forms & while additional information can be shown on PROFILE, my impression is that it is used more to clarify assets and monies that can be accessed to pay tuition, rather than as a way to make the student eligible for more aid.”
—I agree. I was in a unique situation last year where my FAFSA EFC was actually higher than my PROFILE EFC (which rarely happens because PROFILE really is a way of uncovering hidden money) and they told me that they would use whichever one was higher.</p>
<p>So actually your best bet is probably the “Special circumstances” form with a good reason and good supporting documentation— I would submit it along with all the other FA forms and by the same deadline, so if you are accepted they can determine your aid based on your actual circumstances now and not the incomes of years past. If you wait until you’re accepted and an award is offered to suddenly change your circumstances/petition for more FA, more money may no longer be available. </p>
<p>It may also be worthwhile to consider whether one year of bad FA because of old data might be outweighed by subsequent years of really good FA (assuming the special circumstances/ your family income remains the same and that greatly reduces your EFC). Also keep in mind that Reed’s FA covers all relevant educational expenses, not just tuition, room, and board at Reed but also books, travel, etc so sometimes the grand total can be more than your actual expenses. If you live off campus (after freshman year), they still factor in off-campus living expenses into your total expenses and FA package.</p>