@boydikoy. I agree that informal college counseling can be hugely helpful. It was for me (on this site) to help to guide my oldest daughter to a school where she would be happy and that we could afford.
I am currently helping my Pell-eligible niece with the college application process. The sobering takeaway point for me was that most of her public in-state options gap significantly with respect to financial need. Even with the Federal student loan, a residential college experience is unlikely to be affordable for this diligent young woman.
She is sensible enough to realize that there is no shame in community college and/or commuting, even if that’s not her first choice.