I just want to update everyone that I think everything will turn out okay for me. I was super busy today, so sorry for not responding for a while. I called my grandparents (yes they are overseas) and had a long conversation about my financial situation, and how grateful I am to be able to have them help me. They understand it fully, having been there through the horrible divorce. I told them how their gift will likely reduce my financial aid greatly, as it was wired over before we even researched its possible impact on aid (meaning it’s in my moms account already and therefore on bank statement, so we can’t play with it or move it around to our benefit anymore). They are so so generous and have graciously offered to help me in any way I need for all four years, although it pains me to have to ask them that. This is what we’ve decided: I will use most of the 75k for tuition this first year. Then the rest will be spent on a car for me to actually be able to commute to a good job (sounds crazy, but car will be needed sooner or later, and not spending all of the 75k now means it will be sitting around and be assessed as an asset next finaid app time and will likely lose us several thousand more in aid). They will send over more money only after junior year. My mom will be able to pay out 30k or so each for sophomore and junior year if we live really frugally, and I’ll cover a few thousand with my earnings and the rest in loans… a LOT of loans. After junior year, grandparents will send over more money AFTER finaid app is submitted and processed already, so no more penalties will be levied on outside help. That money will help pay for senior year, and help pay off some of the loans borrowed in sophomore and junior year.