<p>“institutional methodology” means that each institution adapts the methodology according to its own notion of what should be taken into account. Thus the results from one institution to another can vary wildly. If you really truly want to know how CollegeA came up with 47k and CollegeB came up with 37k, it is perfectly fine for you to pick up the phone and call them. The financial aid officers can talk you through their particular version of the formula. However, unless there is something that they got wrong, or that has changed since you filed the Profile, there is little reason to expect that CollegeA will drop 10k off what they expect your family to pay.</p>