So…to this parent…if you canto or won’t pay full price at an expensive private university that does NOT give merit aid…perhaps those should not be on your child’s application list.
If you have a college budget, please make that clear to your child BEFORE he sends applications out. Make it clear that you can pay $X per year. He can apply to and attend any college where that budget amount is met.
With $200,000 in income…it’s not likely you will be seeing need based aid…anywhere.
What are your kiddo’s SAT or ACT scores…and GPA? It is very possible he is a contender for decent merit aid at some colleges. There are plenty of colleges out there that cost less than $65,000 a year…and plenty that would cost less than that with merit aid tossed in.
If finances are an issue…target schools where merit aid is offered for your kid’s stats.
Read the links in this thread. But do check the colleges to see if these awards are still available.