<p>And it is in fact possible to be paying less than your EFC, though I’m sure that is very rare.</p>
<p>Actually, many people pay less than their EFCs but not because of need-based aid. Those with high EFCs often pay less because their kids go to less expensive colleges, they commute, they get big merit scholarships, etc.</p>
<p>We don’t pay anywhere near our EFC. Both kids got big merit and we probably only pay about $9k total for both, yet our EFC is $99k.</p>
<p>However, if your EFC is X and the school costs X+ and your child isn’t going to get merit, expect to pay at least X.</p>