I sounds like you could apply to schools that have competitive merit for high stats, if you want to put in the effort and take your chances, like Duke, Vandy, Rice and a few others. You would get 1/2 tuition at USC in LA for NMF but that still leaves a lot to pay but they do have 200 or so full tuition I think, for competitive. See
Spend the most time ‘where the apples are easier picking’. Certainly there is always a chance to obtain a very good merit situation at a private or a very selective school. However do all the applications at the schools where you know you will have a lot of automatic merit or a low cost, along with their scholarship application and honors’ college applications - meet those deadlines.
Then it is a bit of a shot in the dark on what @brownparent is talking about in post 20. However if one of those comes through, that would be wonderful.
Later you can do some travel to make the final decision, visiting the places you haven’t seen or places you need to have a closer look.
If you are smart in the application process, you will have more options and perhaps more low cost options.
If NMF in Florida you get a full ride to the major state schools, including UF:
http://www.floridastudentfinancialaid.org/SSFAD/factsheets/FIS.pdf
The state of Florida recently put in place the Florida Incentive Scholarships (FIS, which was re-named Benacquisto Scholarship). It pays full COA (after bright futures, etc).
http://www.floridastudentfinancialaid.org/SSFAD/PDF/FIS_2015_Update.pdf
You’ll find a lot of info in this thread:
http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/university-florida/1748628-florida-incentive-scholarship-p1.html
@coffeeaddicted The state of Florida has recently announced huge awards (free rides???) to its FL NMFs who attend a Florida public univ.
The awards are from the state, not the univ.
I’ll try to find the info.
edit…just saw that @bob wallace provided the info…good!
@menloparkmom @BrownParent thank you for these lists; I will look into the colleges that are affordable and that I like and consider applying. They seem pretty extensive–I didn’t know there were so many scholarship opportunities, especially the ones for the PSAT! I’d better get studying. Hopefully next year I can replicate the [equivalent of the] 217 I got last year… and @mom2collegekids @BobWallace @Gator88NE the FIS seems confusing but I do believe I have a shot at NMF and one of the associated scholarships if I study for the PSAT, so the FIS could actually solve my problems if all goes well.
@SOSConcern thank you, and I am looking into the various more affordable Florida colleges along with the out-of-state ones that could offer me at least half tuition. My major is not engineering; however, I will look into what the University of Alabama has to offer.
@TempeMom my intended major is astronomy/astrophysics.
@rhandco The amount your son will take out in loans is the maximum that I would take out as well; however, I doubt I will live at home after graduation. I plan to get a masters and PHD in an out of state university, and then get a job as a researcher at a university (I work in a university lab right now and I’m hooked; I couldn’t image working in any other situation). My dad (another scientist) says that the starting salary for this job would be enough to pay off that much loans; however, he has implied that he and my mom might help me out if absolutely necessary (the most likely scenario for this would be if I don’t get out of school and into a job soon enough). I will also overlap with my sister for a year or two in undergrad (depending on if I take three or four years to graduate). Would this make a difference in my net price for a public university like UF?
Thanks so much everyone; this is extremely helpful 
Don’t forget to look at the private schools in Florida too. You can use BF, the FRAG of $3000, and some of the other Florida scholarships. Those, with the merit money from the school itself can bring the price way down. UMiami, Embry-Riddle, Florida Tech are all options.
@coffeeaddicted you are getting the idea. Concentrate some efforts on the testing - that can really pay off for you.
When you do start college, do not rush UG. Take the full 4 years and absorb all the learning opportunities. Once you start college, you can see about the grad programs and doing the right things to fully prepare yourself.
Many students do have some summer jobs and maybe PT work during the school year too. Healthier than trying to cram to finish in a shorter time.
Sounds like you found something you love doing - that helps in feeling like you never have to ‘work’ because work is so fun for you.
If you’re looking for an out-of-state lottery ticket, Villanova has a competitive full ride scholarship and a well-regarded astronomy program. However, you’d have to spend a bunch of money on warm clothing!
@3boystogo I checked out villanova’s website and it seems like a great college! I might just apply for that possible golden ticket.