@katliamom Sorry, I did not mean to imply that everything I replied to was an assumption.
You’re talking about the total pot and statistical likelihood of receiving it. That is helpful information when deciding to apply to higher cost colleges, but not a reason to cut a lower cost public option off the list.
The LW prompting this post is not “weighing pros and cons of various options”. They have no acceptances in the February prior to fall quarter. Expecting more merit aid seems unrealistic anyway, even if it is theoretically available.
I’m replying in that context. Obviously CC may not be the BEST option for many students. But it is almost always AN option. And this kid has few other options.