<p>Basically, when you are applying to colleges, and you have your eyes on schools that are not a certainty in terms of admissions (you might get rejected) or in price, you want to make sure that you have other schools on your list that you can both afford and know that they will take you. In my day, they were the first schools on ones list, and you then looked further out for other possibilities, and possibilities they were and still are these days if they have selective admissions and cost more than your family can pay. </p>
<p>It is possible the school could come up with some money. My son was surprised and delighted when the local Catholic college gave him a full tuition award. He could commute there, essentially for free. Throw in a part time and summer job and he would be in the gravy. It would have been less expensive than the community or local state schools where no award was given. So the sticker price there was not an issue, AFTER he got his award. He also got some partial merit awards, had a state uni with a low sticker price, OOS publics with lower than privates’ sticker prices, and schools that were out of range and did not offer any money. If you vary your list, you will likely get such a spread. </p>
<p>So don’t just cross off the school from your list, but be aware that it is an option for you only if the school gives you fiancial or merit aid that makes it affordable. What the average package any school gives becomes a moot point when you get your award, since only what is in that award package is going to matter for you. You might get better than average, or less, much less, or nothing. Most schools do not meet full need, and many just give what you are entiteld to get anywhere in terms of state and federal funds. Just because you show a need or EFC of a certain dollar amount does not mean a college is necessarily going to give you what you need. It’s a chance you take when you apply.</p>
<p>So keep your options open and make sure you have a few choices that you know are sure things.</p>