To clarify- the college does not expect all four adults to contribute to your college education. The expectation is that your bio-parents will contribute. And as a result of their remarriages, the assumption is that their spouses (not related to you) are helping to cover some of the costs of running a household- food, rent, heat, gas for the car. And therefore- your bio-parents have more $ available to pay for college, since they’ve got someone to split expenses with to cover basic living costs.
Got it?
Unless your situation varies dramatically from this scenario, that’s the logic. Your dad makes 75K. His wife makes 75K. So he’s living in a household with a 150K gross income. Same as your mom.
That’s how it works.
Now to your situation- You need to find an affordable option. There is nothing shameful about having to tell a college “I cannot afford to attend”. You do not want to take out those loans-- even if you could find a lender. You do not want your parents to shoulder those loans.
So you need to find an affordable option. Hugs to you. This is a hard message to hear but you are lucky- it’s November, you’ve got time and won’t have to scramble. Kids who learn this in April have many fewer options…You can figure this out…