<p>actually, NewHope, there has been a lot of traffic about kids applying ED and then after the acceptance, the parents realizing that either they can't or won't pay the tab. I don't think your advice to Muzic is very practical and is a recipe for a lot of heartache. Anyone can plug their numbers in to one of the financial aid calculators and get a reasonable idea of how much aid they qualify for... and if the OP's family income is too high to qualify, it seems naive to apply ED with the hope of a miracle. </p>
<p>If I were in his shoes, I'd have a candid talk with M&D about how much they can, or are willing to contribute, and then come up with a plan based on that reality which may include merit aid, outside scholarships, taking a gap year to get a fulltime job, In-state for all or part of the four years, etc. The likelihood that Brown is going to come up with a substantial amount of $ for a kid whose family doesn't qualify for financial aid is very, very remote.... and the song, "we have a high income but lots of debt" isn't a very original one to a financial aid officer.</p>