<p>A $20,000 net price at a UC likely means a FAFSA EFC of around $11,000. But if the parents are unable or unwilling to contribute that (perhaps due to a high spending or high debt lifestyle relative to their income), then college affordability becomes questionable with just need-based financial aid.</p>
<p>Unfortunately, it may be that the OP and parents did not have the money talk last year. If they did, then the OP could have stacked the application list with large merit scholarship schools like these:
<a href=“Automatic Full Tuition / Full Ride Scholarships - #300 by BobWallace - Financial Aid and Scholarships - College Confidential Forums”>Automatic Full Tuition / Full Ride Scholarships - #300 by BobWallace - Financial Aid and Scholarships - College Confidential Forums;
<a href=“Competitive Full Tuition / Full Ride Scholarships - #50 by BobWallace - Financial Aid and Scholarships - College Confidential Forums”>Competitive Full Tuition / Full Ride Scholarships - #50 by BobWallace - Financial Aid and Scholarships - College Confidential Forums;
<p>The choices now are not especially attractive:</p>
<p>a. Go to college with large parent-co-signed debt.
b. Start at community college to save money – not great for pre-med purposes since some medical schools look down on community college courses and grades, and the last two years of college at a four year school will still have similar cost issues.
c. Gap year (no school, probably work) and reapply to large merit scholarship schools.</p>