<p>thanks mom2collegekids, I am not applying to many (if any) public schools because I have actually realised their costs may be higher than private schools since they generally give less aid. Although Mary Washington is only about $18,000 tuition for OOS. I live with both parents BTW. </p>
<p>My family can afford 15k a year (that is only about 1k more than what they pay for my high school, though it is a squeeze), and I’m not expecting to travel home any more than once, maybe twice, over my time at college, and only if I can afford it. I have cousins and other family in the US I can stay with over breaks.</p>
<p>What exactly is considered ‘low income’ in the US? Also, I noticed in the questions on a NPC for Georgetown that they ask how old your parents are, is this a factor? My parents are much older than the average parents of an 18 yr old (Dad 66 and Mom 60) so they aren’t able to work nearly as much as in the past and I know my Dad would really like to retire soon, they he will keep working in order to pay for my education. Do they take age into account? As my Dad will be in his 70’s by the time I graduate college? </p>
<p>My super safeties are the universities here in Australia, which I know we can afford no problem</p>