If your EFC is $52,000…then your income would,have to be in the $200,000 a year range…or so.
Even if your friends income was half…they would not have an auto $0 Cost to attend college.
So…forget about them…and concentrate on YOU.
If your family contribution is $52,000…then exoect to be paying about that amount for your kid to attend college per year. If that is NOT affordable…look at less expensive schools.
I still say…unless you are willing to pay…don’t let him apply ED.