Finding an affordable option out of state?

<p>I live in Texas and would be fine with attending my state flagship assuming I finished in the top 7%, which I do expect to do, but I would really like to find an affordable out of state option. Personally, I can see myself being very, very happy at a liberal arts college that is relatively near a city, like Reed or Swarthmore (I would especially like Reed because of the location and the overall identity of the school). But these schools, and the larger institutions that I've looked in to, all have hefty price tag, and the public schools all seem to have private school tuitions for out of state students.
Financial aid seems doubtful for my family, being that my dad makes 200k. Is there aid for that? What about merit scholarships? How exactly does one get merit aid?
My "forlorn hope" so to speak in terms of affording college out of state is a soccer scholarship, being that I play in a US soccer academy, and will likely be offered a pro contract if I continue with it until I am 18. Since I want to pursue a medical career, I won't be taking that option. If I didn't want to go to medical school, my parents would probably be able to eke out just enough to pay a high tuition for four years, but not for eight, assuming I got into med school. So what are the options for 200k families in terms of finding affordable out of state schools? Thanks in advance</p>

<p>Are you a HS junior now…or a HS senior?</p>

<p>ETA…read the threads in the link below. However if you are a senior…it is getting a little late for many of the merit awards.</p>

<p><a href=“Links to Popular Threads on Scholarships and Lower-Cost Colleges - Financial Aid and Scholarships - College Confidential Forums”>Links to Popular Threads on Scholarships and Lower-Cost Colleges - Financial Aid and Scholarships - College Confidential Forums;

<p>No there is not aid for 200k plus income at those colleges. I’m not sure there is merit aid either. You have to find out, and look for the d3 schools that give athletic scholarships in your sport.it isn’t usual that parents can or will pay for med school, so you are very lucky. </p>

<p>What are your SAT or ACT scores, and your GPA? Many families with high incomes, and students with excellent stats do,seek schools with merit aid to ease the financial burden.</p>

<p>Division 3 schools technically do NOT offer athletic scholarships.</p>

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<p>Are you a frosh? or what?</p>

<p>This student is a high school freshman…according to other threads.</p>