I think the ED schools should have a section on costs. It should say “This school costs $65k. How much can you pay? ___ How much will you be willing to take in student loans? ___ If I get a financial aid package of at least $_______, I will accept the ED offer.”
That would establish what the student will accept before comparing offers. The school will know whether the student will accept the ED offer or not. The school could still issue the FA offer on its terms, it just doesn’t have to play the game of whether this student can’t honestly afford the school or just wants out of the ED offer because something better came along.
I don’t like ED and the games it sets up, but if they are going to do it and the students are going to be bound/released from the offer, all the cards should be on the table.