<p>You need to talk with your parents about how much they can pay. Is that 15-18k what they can chip in, or does that include Stafford Loans and money you make with a part-time job? Have you run any of the financial aid calculators (there are good ones at [EFC</a> Calculator: How Much Money for College Will You Be Expected to Contribute?](<a href=“College Board - SAT, AP, College Search and Admission Tools”>Calculate Your Cost – BigFuture | College Board) )? Do you know what your FAFSA EFC will be like?</p>
<p>If your parents can pay 15k, and you borrow the maximum Stafford Loan ($5,500 freshman, $6,500 sophomore, $7,500 junior, $7,500 senior) each year, and you make another 2k to 4k each year with summer jobs and school year jobs, you may have the costs of your home-state public U covered. </p>
<p>Most colleges and universities will not meet your need as defined by the FAFSA. You will be expected to pay a lot more than that. If you need serious money, spend some time in the Financial Aid Forum, and read through the threads there on guaranteed merit-based aid. Your GPA is good, but your ACT/SAT exam scores may need to go up in order to qualify for those scholarships.</p>