<p>I think it is very important to understand that it is extremely unlikely that you will receive any need based aid at the schools you mention. You wisely state that it is a choice you will have to make whether or not to pay the price you will be required to pay. Recognizing the reality of the situation is important as you move forward with the college search. As a financial aid officer, nothing in your situation strikes me as unusual - meaning that I don’t see that any adjustments would be made. However, one never knows. </p>
<p>Value of the primary residence is not in the FM. It is included in the IM on financial aid calculators, but again … different schools count it differently. IM EFC’s are only very rough estimates. </p>
<p>As for the Penn post-er … it is possible he did not include the brother in college on his initial application for aid. It is also possible that the aid office considered the two homes a necessity for some reason & made adjustments accordingly. That is why I say “you never know.” You can certainly try talking to them. Just know that it is highly unlikely that adjustments will be made.</p>