<p>dreaming, If you’re not applying to any New Jersey publics, your residency won’t come into play. Just please understand that the definition of “residency” for public college tuition purposes is different from what may constitute “residency” in other places. And if you were able to apply to a public college as an instate resident, you would be able to afford it without loans or worry (because I think all public colleges have tuition/room/board fees under $40K/ year for instate residents).</p>
<p>If your family can afford $40K/year, you can get a Stafford and work and attend most colleges. What you may want to do is target schools that give merit. There are colleges pinned on this forum that give merit. You may also want to look at this list that names schools where lots of students get merit aid. These schools routinely “discount” the tuition to attract students: </p>
<p>[Best</a> Colleges - Education - US News and World Report](<a href=“http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-colleges/most-merit-aid]Best”>http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-colleges/most-merit-aid) </p>
<p>There are some very good colleges on that list and you can still get a couple of applications out. Make sure the scholarship deadline hasn’t past. (Warning: I suspect the public colleges on the list-- like U Florida-- are including merit scholarships that their state offers to instate residents so they may not be as generous for out-of-state students.) </p>
<p>By the way, I am basing this on what you wrote and assuming you don’t qualify for need-based aid other than unsubsidized Stafford loans which everyone can get. If you fill out the calculators as we suggested, you may find out you could qualify for need-based aid.</p>