<p>I'd agree that you & your folks should write an informative lettter with supporting docs for the FAid departments of each school that you're seriously considering applying to explain your unusual family circumstances & the substantial debt that has been incurred by your family with your dad's very low income over those years.
There are many schools that offer MERIT aid as well & those don't consider financial need. I would strongly urge you to seriously consider some of these schools as well, just to keep your options open, as need-based FAid is quite difficult to predict in any given circumstance.</p>