<p>As Thumper states, both schools you mention (and likely your public state colleges as well) use FAFSA only in coming up with your expected contribution. So only your mother’s financials will be in the picture in determining your aid package from such schools. Still none of any of these schools are likely to meet full need. You are not likely to qualify for much PELL grant funds or any even; the max with a zero EFC is $5700. So your only guaranteed aid would be the Direct Loans.</p>
<p>Why don’t you run your mom’s numbers (child support from Dad has to be included) through the NPCs of the schools you are considering? Also include your in state publics. That gives you some idea what you can expect to get from these schools. Get COA figures for the school, and find out if your Dad will indeed pay half that figure. Then you and your mother try to come up with the other half. Half the cost of college, by the way, can range from $30K+ (some private schools) to just a few thousand if you go to a local state school.</p>
<p>That’s if your parents are separated or divorced. </p>