<p>They base " need" on what they perceive as " need," not on what you perceive as " need." A $200,000 a year salary for a family of 4 in certain areas of the country does not make them rich or well off, but these families may not get much FA, if any. A $10,000 grant ( for example) does not make much of a dent in a $55,000 a year school. Maybe I am wrong?</p>