So as an observation of this discussion. I know no family from Chicagoland area that has sent their kid to Alabama without the merit. But to Alabamas credit the kids going there like Absolutely love Alabama. They are telling their high school underclassmen and now there seems to be this “buzz” about Alabama being this great school. Also Alabama seemed to line up internships and opportunities with the normal big names, Tesla, Microsoft, Amazon etc. I know a. Few recent graduates that got great jobs after graduating (engineering).
I also read somewhere that a lot of their funds are coming from the football program. If this is true then many schools should be able to do this or lower tuition (never gonna happen) for their instate schools.
Like Michigan could offer lower tuition for their instate kids using this method.
As far as meeting OOS need for Michigan, they have stepped up this program. I don’t think it’s clearly 100% need but getting there. This has been a pleasant surprise in the last 3-4 years. I hear many families getting something like $20-35,000 OOS for financial aid, Michigan Grant (financial award). They have the endowment to do more but it’s a great start.