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<p>I know, but the OP doesn’t necessarily have to go to a popular private or to an OOS public. As you say, merit money might be available to make it cheaper and for OOS publics some have regional cartels (I’m not sure what they’re actually called) where certain majors can pay in-state tuition even away from home.</p>
<p>The OP can also supplement the father’s contribution by trying to find a job, taking out Stafford loans, or seeking work-study opportunities on campus.</p>
<p>And, of course, there is always the possibility of attending the state flagship or another in-state option. </p>
<p>If you don’t have $50,000 a year, for whatever reason – and this can be having an affluent parent who is unwilling to pay, or simply not having access to that kind of money – then you should go back and reassess how much money you actually do have available and work from there. It doesn’t make too much sense to ignore options that exist in favor of ones that don’t.</p>