<p>
</p>
<p>It appears that the Common Data Set definition of “meet need” can use grants, scholarships, work-study, or subsidized federal direct loans (i.e. $3,500 frosh, $4,500 soph, $5,500 jr/sr). So a school which uses only those types of financial aid (not unsubsidized loans, parent loans, or private alternative loans) against 100% of need (however it determines “need”) can answer 100% for the need met question.</p>
<p>it is entirely possible that there are colleges that answer this question incorrectly, or use a different definition of “meet 100% of need” on their web sites than the Common Data Set definition.</p>
<p>For the schools specifically, here is how their NPCs break down the amounts for the $20,000 income family example (UCLA is in-state):</p>
<p>
School List EFC& Need Grant Loan Work Net Price
USC 60033 2500^ 57533* 49533 5500 2500 10500
UCLA 32563 0 32563* 23963 8600+ 8600
Yale 61900 1600 60300 57500 0 2800 4400</p>
<p>& Federal EFC for UCLA, institutional EFC for Yale.
^ USC's NPC calls this "estimated remaining costs", rather than
calling it EFC.
* Not explictly listed in NPC, but calculated from List - EFC.
+ UCLA's NPC lists "self-help" = $8,600; it says that loans and
work-study will be offered.
</p>
<p>Obviously, a school can repackage the same net price different ways (e.g. moving it around between EFC, subsidized federal direct loans, unsubsidized federal direct loans, and work-study), which can result in different answers for the Common Data Set’s “meet need” questions.</p>