<p>Working is the equivalent of an EC. Or to put it another way, kids who don’t need to work because their families are low income need to do something that shows they have a bit of get-up-and-go so ECs are where they demonstrate that.</p>
<p>Do run the Net Price Calculator at each college/university website. With your family income you should qualify for some aid at most places. The challenge will be to actually get it because most places leave ginormous yawning gaps between a student’s identified need and the aid that the institution can/will actually offer them. Unless you can find a co-signer, or unless your parents are ready, willing, and able to sign up for PLUS loans, you will be limited to the federal loan maximum each year ($5,500 freshman, $6,500 sophomore, $7,500 junior, and $7,500 senior). If those loans are already packaged into whatever aid the college/university does offer you, you won’t be able to borrow anything more.</p>
<p>This means that with the $15,000 that your family can chip in, and $5,500 for your freshman year in federal loans, you have $20,500. What can you get for that? Is there an in-state public option for you that comes in under that budget? If not, how big is the difference? Is it something that you can cover out of your income from a branch of Best Buy in that city/town?</p>
<p>I understand that you don’t like the looks of the guaranteed-merit institutions, but do give that list a second look. If you meet those GPA and ACT/SAT requirements you are guaranteed admission AND you are guaranteed that amount of aid. No questions asked. Just be sure to apply by the priority deadline and you are in with the money. One or more of these places could serve as your Safety if there isn’t anything in your home-state that guarantees you admission for your stats and is dead-on affordable. Once you’ve got the Safety (preferably Safeties) pinned down, build your list upward into the Match and Reach and Dream ranges.</p>