<p>In all realistic terms, it's very rare to find that a reputable school will suffice for your EFC with all grants. According to my FAFSA's EFC, its around 16k, and Cornell rung my family contribution to be 25k. If they guaranteed my EFC, I would need more loans than 5k. That's why i'm kind of doubting that Ivy leagues guarantee to meet a transfer student's EFC. Perhaps they do it only to first-time freshmen, which is understandable.</p>
<p>Cornell calculates the EFC in its own way which may or may not be higher than your FAFSA EFC. I have had my Cornell EFC be lower than the one calculated by FAFSA.</p>
<p>Cornell is very well known for giving poor aid (Mostly loans/work study). You package is definitely not unusual. A good example of why people should compare costs when choosing colleges and not assume the (if any) aid will be grants/scholarships. Also being a transfer likely did not help you either.</p>
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[quote]
According to my FAFSA's EFC, its around 16k, and Cornell rung my family contribution to be 25k. If they guaranteed my EFC, I would need more loans than 5k. That's why i'm kind of doubting that Ivy leagues guarantee to meet a transfer student's EFC.
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I think it is too late since May 1 was the deadline, but you should have called them up and asked to appeal.
They are also known to have matched the aid given by other ivy schools, aka "act of desperation"</p>