@petulaclark As a NMSF, he can be talking about school for free. He can also be talking about school for 4 yrs less than the cost of 1 yr at an elite.
(My Bama student is on full scholarship. His next cheapest choice was well over 100K. Free was blessing and he loves it there. He could have graduated in well under 3 yrs with a double major. He is staying for 4 for his master’s.)