I do not think ED discriminates against “poor” families. If a family with high need does not get amounts that the NPC indicates, and discussion with the school does not result in getting a financial aid package that is feasible or what the parents feel they can do, they simply get out of ED and proceed with the rest of the applications with this learning experience in mind.
Most schools want ED to work out so its your best bet to get some package that is affordable. The catch is that you have to do the homework in knowing his peer schools work with NPC so you get some idea where you are in the financial aid picture. If the numbers are way off, you can get an idea or reason why, and get to work in picking. some other financial safeties. You know from your ED bid that the possibility that Fin aid isn’t going to work out is real.
The kids and families hit hardest with ED are those needing merit money. They already know that Fin aid is going to be insufficient. For their kids to go to a high priced school, they HAVE to get scholarships. ED rarely rolls out the scholarships with acceptances. In fact, ED kids don’t generally get merit money. Merit money is often given in the spring to get the students a college most wants to commit. ED is a done deal; why offer them any money?