Another thing…is the $29,000 “scholarship” merit aid or need based aid. IIRC, of those schools only Oberlin gives merit aid. But I’d find this out. If it’s merit, what are the terms of renewal?
Can you pay the net costs at these colleges?
Why do you keep bringing up the subject of “indicating higher level of interest”. These are financial aid awards at colleges that meet full need for all. These sound like NEED based awards.
The colleges showed their “interest” by accepting your daughter…and for that you should be happy.
Personally, I think you need to drop the references and questions about why she got financial aid. They are not important.