<p>Financial aid may not be as big as a problem as Redroses seems to think it will be bc you are an orphan and what not -FAFSAs will show if you are a ward of the state or an orphan or something and give you substantial aid because of it.
The colleges that you look at, however, should stay practical. God bless ya for “seeing the light”, but colleges won’t exactly take your word for it. You might consider going to a community college or one that you could easily pay for, get killer grades and such (as your 4.0 this year demonstrates you can get), and transfer to one of the more prestigious schools you want, but I could understand how that would be less appealing. Someone in your academic situation has limited options, sadly, regardless of stories.</p>