<p>To find out your EFC (the minimum that the colleges will expect your family to pay) run the calculators at [College</a> Calculators - savings calculators - college costs, loans](<a href=“College Board - SAT, AP, College Search and Admission Tools”>Calculate Your Cost – BigFuture | College Board) and [FinAid</a>! Financial Aid, College Scholarships and Student Loans](<a href=“http://www.finaid.org%5DFinAid”>http://www.finaid.org)</p>
<p>Since you live in Northern Virginia, put NOVA on your list as a financial safety. The tuition is very inexpensive, there surely is a campus close enough for you to commute to, and there are full articulation agreements with all of the public 4-year universities in Virginia. Apply early, and keep your eyes open for any scholarships that you might qualify for. It may even turn out to be free!</p>