If your child applies to Howard there is a good shot at the Presidential scholarship which is a true “full ride” including tuition, fees, housing, books, and a laptop. Make sure he/she applies by the early deadline (I think it’s 11/1 or 11/15 I can’t recall exactly). My DD applied to Howard as a backup, but when she visited she liked it way more than she thought she would and being in DC it’s a great location. She kept it in the running with Georgetown and Columbia all the way until the end as graduating debt-free and not having to pay anything (meaning she could maintain her lifestyle and not be a “starving” college student) was very appealing to her. I heard there are some problems with administration, but everything I read from students/alumni is positive and people seem to love their time there.