Experiences with the CSS financial aid Business_Farm_Supplement?

[Johann Jells]

We're trying to figure out what values to put on our properties in this financial aid application. Options being considered are the city assessment or most recent appraisal x local market rise since then.

Does anyone have experience with this, particularly how tenacious they are about verifying what you put. I want to put something defensible at least, but the motivation to bring down the numbers is strong.

They ask strange questions like property book value at beginning and end of year and fair market value at end of tax year. How the hell do you come up with this for property you've owned for up to 19 years?