<p>Like everyone else, you have to be realistic and apply to a financial safety that you like that meets your needs, maybe even more than one. In most cases that will be your in-state public. Generally, we found that we were expected to pay about $10,000 a year more than our EFC. </p>
<p>The bottom line is that it’s pretty much impossible to anticipate what you’ll get from any particular school. I had pored over all the financial stats on several web sites and did all the calculations. Even with that, my daughter’s results surprised me. One of the schools that looked the least generous on paper ended up giving her the most scholarship money. Cast a wide net and you’ll do fine!</p>