<p>yep, cpt, the school could do that. Schools, such as Amherst (see the other linked threads), who truly believe that the Institutional Methodology (or an adaptation thereof) gives the best picture of a family’s financial strength apply that methodology to ALL students, even those whose FM EFC is higher, by giving institutional-only aid packages where necessary. Others don’t really put their money where their mouth is, so to speak, and weasel out by going with the higher EFC for those families who end up with a higher FM EFC.</p>