<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/financial-aid-scholarships/1367319-how-families-sometimes-do.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/financial-aid-scholarships/1367319-how-families-sometimes-do.html</a></p>
<p>I wrote the first post on this thread because this is a real life example of someone who is in a very similar situation as you are. As you can see, the private schools, felt that this family could afford to pay still a substantial hunk of the tuition, including a school that guarantees to meet all need. $85K is not considered low income, and it is assumed that your PARENTS had saved some money, will be paying some money out of salary, and maybe borrowing some money as well as you towards your college costs. Also, if they have been saving for their retirement, if that money isn’t in a qualified plan like an IRA, it will be hit up for what the colleges feel is a reasonable contribution. </p>
<p>You also mention stepfather, which means there might be a non custodial parent out there and possibly another step parent. Most schools that meet full need will want to hit both of them up too. That a school meets full need, means that it usually defines the need, and home equity, non custodial parents and other things are all taken into consideration.</p>
<p>So take that all in and use those figures as well. Most important of all is to have a school that you know you can afford that will take you, and then you can take your chances on a number of other schools. You should include some schools where you have a shot at a lot of merit money as well as the LACs and other private schools that guarantee to meet full need. When you want or need the money, you have to cast a wide net and not have all of your eggs in one basket, and have a sure thing there as well.</p>