<p>Sometimes if there are extenuating circumstances, or some unusual financial situation that can be interpreted differently, a recalculation coming up with a different number can result. That is why it is useful to apply to similar schools and compare their packages. My neighbor got a favorable package from Colgate a few years ago whereas BC, Columbia, CMU and Lafayette did not give any money at all. It was not the FAFSA EFC that was the issue, but the way each college calculated the institutional need. Though CMU and Lafayette did cough up some additional funds, BC and Columbia did not despite looking at the Colgate numbers. Child is currently at Columbia paying full freight.I believe Colgate came up with about $5K in need grants, so it was not a huge difference.</p>