If the going rate is $35k/year and a family is full pay, they should only allow their child to apply ED if they’re willing to pay for it. Don’t the families have any idea going in what the cost is likely to be? Why would they sign an agreement saying they’ll accept the offer if they have no way of gauging what that offer might be? It doesn’t sound like OP’s family didn’t know; it sounds like her circumstances may have changed. If her family income has been reduced since she applied and the school is no longer affordable, she should definitely refuse the offer.