@TomSrOfBoston – reminds me of a financial aid seminar I went to at a local LAC. They meet 100% of need, and said applicants are welcome to appeal awards and encouraged to disclose special circumstances, but that the school did not consider “we don’t want to sell the vacation home on the cape that’s been in the family for generations” a valid special circumstance. The FA rep said we would be surprised just how many people think “I don’t want to sell or borrow against my vacation home” is valid need.
N.B. I don’t think that’s what’s happening here, just that I was reminded of that very funny moment.