<p>Basically, it looks like you want to look mainly at:
- Schools which do not use non-custodial parent information for financial aid.
- Schools where you can get large enough merit scholarships.
- Schools where the list price is affordable.</p>
<p>Have you talked to your mother about how much she actually will contribute? Beyond that, you can borrow up to $5,500 (first year, slightly more later years) with a federal direct loan, and/or contribute a few thousand in work earnings. That can give you the price limit that you need to see a net price at or lower.</p>