This number stays the same regardless of the school to which you apply. Only the costs of the colleges change. From this point the school determines the need. This is where the FAO flexes its muscle. It has the ability to increase or decrease the EFC a little.
Most packages are a combination of grants and scholarships, work study and loans.
This can include Federal, State Institutional and Private. The second package has a better mix. Then there is the questions of unmet need. Should this ghastly subject ever emerge, relax, because there are now remedies. The term refers to that amount of cost that was not covered by the amount of financial aid the school gave you.