<p>OP, if you don’t get any aid other than the federal direct loans can your parents afford either of the colleges? To commit generally you have to pay a deposit so either way, if you commit to 2, which is highly discouraged, you will end up forfeiting one of the deposits. Generally the deposits are not (sorry edited to add a missed word) huge, but it’s still money that will be forfeited at the college you ultimately withdraw from.</p>