<p>Since the family has an unaffordable EFC and can contribute about $5k (plus a $5500 student loan and some Pell money), the strategy should be something like this…</p>
<p>1) try to raise scores </p>
<p>2) Identify schools that will give full tuition PLUS awards. Partial tuition awards will leave the family with a gap that cant get covered.</p>
<p>3) Apply to a range of full-ride, near-full ride, and tuition PLUS competitive merit schools.</p>
<p>4) Apply to 2-3 schools that FOR SURE will give more than full tuition as safeties.</p>
<p>there are many schools that will give merit, but if they wont give enough, applying to them will be a waste of valuable time and money. </p>