Is it possible to negotiate financial aid even in Early Decision?

[BelknapPoint]

@2ndthreekids

A school’s Cost of Attendance (COA) MINUS your Expected Family Contribution (EFC) as determined on the FAFSA = Financial Need, or how much need based aid you can get.

I thought all of the top 10’s met full demonstrated ‘Financial Need’ using this formula as a base. Setting aside the CSS profile for a second, double check the stated EFC on your FAFSA. If the school’s calculation has you paying more than that EFC, there may be an error somewhere in the school’s calculation, or, the school has determined you have a higher EFC than the FAFSA suggests, possibly based on your CSS profile.

There is pretty much a 100% chance that OP’s “top 10” school does not use FAFSA to calculate the school’s EFC. FAFSA would have been used to determine eligibility for federal aid like a Pell grant and a direct subsidized loan, but that’s it. OP’s FAFSA EFC will mean very little here.