<p>Tennisforall: I never said the price calculator wasn’t specific to Duke. I said that the price calculator is not the exact formula used by Duke to calculate the FA packages. It is likely based on a set of generalized information based on the calculation method reported to the CollegeBoard by Duke. In any case, there’s not much info on how it works other than it’s “customized” by the colleges themselves. </p>
<p>Also are you sure that Duke added back 401(k) contributions? The FA website seems pretty clear that retirement assets are not counted in EFC calculations. However other assets such as savings, investments, and real estate assets are counted. This may account for some of the discrepancies. </p>
<p>As for maxing out loans…oops my bad. I must have gotten the wrong impression from something at some point in time. My mistake and my apologies.</p>
<p>Anyway, regardless of the information given on CC Purpleacorn, none of us know every detail of your financial aid situation. However, if you do want to find out exactly what’s going on, I know for a fact that you can contact your FA counselor and they can give you an exact rundown of how your award was calculated. Or if you are on campus, you can schedule an appointment and talk with them face to face. That’s the best way to get any ambiguities and questions sorted out.</p>