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<blockquote> <p>TUITION MUST NOT COST FAMILY MORE THAN 1/2 THE TOTAL PRICE!>></p> </blockquote>
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<p>Well..that is a moving target! This would depend on the school. At a state university, instate in NY, your total costs would be very low...in fact the total cost of attendance at any of the SUNY schools would be less than 1/2 the total cost of attendance at BC, NYU, Tufts or Skidmore, and the other private schools you have listed.</p>
<p>To me, if you are only able to pay a certain amount...let's say $20,000 per year (a little less than 1/2 the cost of attendance at the privates you are listing), in my opinion, you should only be looking at schools where the cost of attendance is $20,000 or less OR where your child has a guarantee of receiving merit aid to make up the difference. Check the websites of some schools...some schools give specific merit aid based on the stats presented.</p>
<p>Re: your choices as listed...I agree that you should consider dropping some schools. NYU, for example, has been reported to be notoriously stingy with finaid leaving huge gaps between EFC and cost of attendance. Look for schools which give merit aid awards (that means ditching any Ivies, Tufts...BC). If cost is the driving force, and from your post that seems to be the case...you should look for more schools in your "merit award" list and limit the others. Also, I'll keep my fingers crossed that your d's math SAT score really comes up a LOT. That will certainly help her admissions chances overall.</p>