Full-pay at top 10 university vs UT Austin in state

One way it could be ‘free’ is if the OP’s parents bought into the guaranteed tuition program when he was a tot.

I am unaware of any ‘guaranteed’ money at UT based on PSAT, get through the hoops to become a finalist and maybe score a small NMS Corp one, but don’t know that UT sponsors any. OP may be overestimating the flow of money to come his way.