The student was accepted ED to Ramapo College of New Jersey?
If so, the school would have been under NO obligation to consider a financial aid offer from any other school in terms of reconsidering ED merit aid. The decision to apply ED clearly means that all other acceptances are off the table.
The merit awards at this college are not guaranteed…they are competitive awards. This means that all students with the SAT score listed are considered for the award…but NOT all will receive it. This really has nothing to do with ED vs RD application.
If the school is not affordable, you can decline the ED offer of acceptance.
You could also contact the other school where merit aid was offered, and see if their offer might still be available…maybe it will be. Is that school affordable?