<p>Thanks for all the wonderful ideas, ohio_mom and davnasca 
This brings up a point I had a question on, though: does the “UChicago Aid” portion of the financial aid letter <em>include</em> expected work-study earnings, or not? I had somehow assumed that it did, since most colleges consider that part of “financial aid” - but on the other hand, most colleges consider loans to be part of that as well.</p>
<p>As far as family stuff goes, unfortunately that’s going to be a no-go. I’m pretty sure any significant extra will be spent toward on-time mortgage payments, kitchen tiling, windows that don’t suck heat away, etc. - there’s always something useful to do with money around here, trust me!</p>
<p>The meal plan thing sounds great, though (I keep meaning to learn how to cook. I’ll do it this year, I swear!), and summer employment (if it’s not already included in the estimate) would also definitely help. I also have about $8,000 of my own savings from my job. (The “family-money is separate from college-money, because we all need it” thing works both ways.) A major thing for myself and, I’ve noticed, for other posters here, is whether or not we’ll qualify for the Odyssey program - which for me would eliminate the $6k-per-year of loans already in my estimate before the $20k-per-year extra I’d need.</p>
<p>Anyway, sorry for being a me-monster :-p But there’s been some great discussion about how to afford this place, which I really like!</p>
<p>Thanks again!
~Ethan</p>
<p>P.S. For all of you who are in the same boat as me: Apply for scholarships. No, seriously. I never thought I’d win one of those big national ones… but it happened! And I’m no Poetic Essay Master ™. Some of the big, scary national scholarships actually give awards to a lot more people than you’d think, so the pure odds of winning that might be scaring you off could actually be much better than you’d think.</p>