Thanks @arabrab and @Madison85 . That makes more sense.
LKNomad, there is no reason for him to retake his SAT, that is an amazing score and no school would give him any more consideration than what they already will.
It’s hard but it sounds like you have a few safeties. I would apply to those and add in whatever schools he is interested in. Unfortunately the NPC’s won’t be accurate so you will have to see what the offers will be. After admission if the FA is not enough, I would try an appeal and see where that would get you.
I know that Carnegie Mellon will do a financial aid review (at least they used to) and will give you a determination of what their financial aid will be. CMU only guarantees to meet need for early decision. I might call a school your S is very interested in and see if the FA office will give you any idea of what aid you might expect. I think it would be worth a call.
Good luck.
@deb922 perhaps I can approach financial aid offices when he goes in for interviews. Since I am going in anyway…
The situation with the SAT is out of my hands. It became a game to him and he treats it like another type of kid would treat a video game -aiming for that high score. Planning study sessions, buying just the right books, his goal is a 2400. It is his Mt Everest.