What you got in merit scholarship does not matter if ** what you/your family have to pay ( the net price) is unaffordable**
the direct cost of U of Hartford is $49,996. your full tuition scholarship is 35k, which leaves 14k for your family to pay not counting books, transportation, etc. You are most likely not getting an need based aid other than a $5500 loan. This means your parents will pay ~8.5k for direct costs after you take out the loan.
Don’t get caught up in “private is better” in this case, UAlbany is a stronger school (Bing is a stronger school).
THe COA at UAlbany is 22k/year (direct costs)
What is your intended major (ETA - you are looking to be a Math major)?
If you are a STEM major, you will be eligible for the STEM incentive, which is stackable with your 5k (11,670). Add to that the $500/year AIMS scholarship (top 15% of the class can be applied to any major).
AIMS scholarship
Add your $5500 loan then your parents net price is ~$4500 for direct costs. Your parents getting an ATOC credit will bring their out of pocket cost down to approx $2500/year.
GET a part time job/summer job o cover your incidental costs: books/pocket $$ etc).
If you are ranked in the top 4 in your class, you may be eligible for an academic excellence scholarship, which will knock of another $500-1500 (if you are #1) per year.
Note, you cannot use AIMS, STEM(CUNY/SUNY only) or Academic excellence scholarship outside of NYS