<p>The problem is, you may not know what your Profile EFC is … the school doesn’t have to tell you.</p>
<p>Yes, a school that meets need would meet it by taking cost of attendance minus Profile EFC. However, the need may be met through work study and student loans (sometimes in excess of Stafford amounts - Tufts did that in our aid package). So you might have more loans than you anticipated, and you also may have a large work study award - which cannot be subtracted from the tuition/room/board/fees owed.</p>
<p>Also important to consider with needs-meeting schools: Some pad their COA more than others. To accurately compare aid packages, add up the tuition/room/board/fees/and other mandatory costs. Subtract only free money (grants/scholarships). This will tell you what you have to pay through your own money & with loans (should you choose to borrow).</p>