<p>I want to emphasize the point about going to a school that give you merit aid based on your stats might be a good long term plan. Since your dad now has a job, for your sophomore year, your dad will have a full year of employment, so you might not qualify for need based aid in that year but as your family will be getting back on your feet and might not really be able to afford what the college say. With merit aid, all you have to do it is keep a certain GPA, it doesn’t matter what the income is.</p>
<p>American University is another school that gives great merit aid- it varies by your scores. There are a few kids my son knows who have complete full rides.</p>