I agree, @mom2collegekids. But my hope is kids add the SUNY to their list anyway because if they don’t, their alternative is the local cc. I suspect some of them hope that if they don’t add a financial safety the parents will cave and pay for the expensive school instead of allowing them to go to cc, but I don’t think that happens much, if at all.
@row566, I know it’s tough when parents can’t or won’t pay their EFC. You have to be super vigilant and make sure you have options you like next April. We see lots of kids here who hope their parents change their minds about paying, and even some whose parents do promise to pay when they really can’t. Sometimes what colleges calculate just isn’t affordable. It’s better for you to know your situation up front so you have time to figure out viable options.
At least apply to Alabama before the December deadline. From everything I read, they’re a great school, especially for the sciences. They’ve built over 45 buildings in the last decade. Their Science and Engineering is a 1,000,000 square foot complex. I’m going to visit someday just to see the campus. I’m told it’s beautiful. The dorms are very nice. Some of the SUNYs are building new dorms, but I don’t think they’re as nice as Bama’s “super suites” (mini “apartments” with 4 private bedrooms, a living room and a kitchenette.) If you can’t tour it, at least apply. In the spring, I think you’ll be glad you did.