<p>I actually have no idea how FA works, so if someone could clarify, that would be great…
I don’t know if this is good or bad or just normal -
but Bowdoin gave me a grant of around $14,500, but my FAFSA EFC was $5010…does that mean my family needs to scrape together $35,000, 7 times my EFC? Or am I totally off the mark?</p>
<p>clariss – Bowdoin requires the CSS PROFILE, not the FAFSA, for its financial aid decisions (FAFSA still must be completed for a State fin. aid application in case there is reciprocity with Maine or you’re from Maine) and if you look at Bowdoin’s Student Aid page, you’ll get information about their process. [Student</a> Aid (Bowdoin)](<a href=“Student Aid | Bowdoin College”>Student Aid | Bowdoin College)
Rather than using the FAFSA EFC, you should complete the College Board’s institutional methodology (IM) to get an idea of what Bowdoin aid will be. If you do that, you should see a figure that is closer to what your actual award is.</p>
<p>Yes. My CSS PROFILE’s EFC using College Board site is much higher than FAFSA’s.</p>
<p>One last question: Could I call Bowdoin and ask them to reconsider my FA package if another school offered a significantly higher amount? Bowdoin gave me approx $15,000 with a max loan cap of $5,500 and work study of $2000. Swarthmore gave me $25,000 with similar loan and work study limits. There’s something weird about that…</p>