<p>Were you planning to apply for need-based financial aid? If not, are you planning to do so now? I would suggest calling the financial aid office and discussing the situation with them. Perhaps they can give you an informal “early read” on how much fin aid you might receive. Then you will at least have some facts. If it looks like there is no way you family can afford it, there’s really no point to applying ED. On the other hand, if your conversation with the fin aid office is positive, go for it and see what happens. ED is not binding if the fin aid pkg is insufficient. Good luck.</p>