What does this mean? Yale doesn’t give a nickel of merit aid to anyone…so if you can’t pay their net cost…cross them off your list.
In the vast majority of cases…merit aid reduces your financial need…and thus reduces your need based aid. In the vast majority of cases, you won’t be getting additional aid.
If your parents can afford $30,000 a year…why aren’t you applying to University of Alabama, where you will get a very generous merit award…and that $30,000 will more than cover the balance.
You might also want to look at some of the SUNY schools…you could get merit there and your net costs could be in the $30,000 a year range. Look at Buffalo, for example.
I agree with the College of Charleston suggestion. Also…U of South Carolina might give you significant aid as well…but get moving on their scholarship…honors college application which is a doozie!