Consider Sending a Letter of Special Circumstance to Financial Aid Officers.

Financial aid officers have the ability to use professional judgment to increase students’ financial aid based on unusual circumstances. 

The policy that governs professional judgment varies from school to school, so if your family has a recent “unusual” circumstance (such as death of a parent, sudden unemployment of a parent, or unexpected large medical bills) consider sending a letter of special circumstance to the financial aid office at each of your colleges.

Alternatively, consider scheduling an appointment to meet with a financial aid officer to explain the special circumstance.  A face-to-face meeting during a campus visit will allow you to provide details and to answer questions.  Such a meeting may give the personal touch needed to convince financial aid officers to increase your financial aid awards.