First, talk to a financial advisor asap about the realities of your current and future financial needs. Find someone who understands financial aid, taxes, retirement accounts, etc…,
Do not sacrifice your financial stability or your child’s to fund an expensive 4 year degree when there may be better options for your money at other colleges.
Next, please do not go into “rabble rousing mode when you start calling financial aid officers at these colleges. This will not get you what you desire. Remember, they may have been in the midst of assisting a kid who is considered homeless through McKinney-Vento, has recently lost a parent and their FAFSA/CSS will not reflect their current situation, or some other situation far removed from your scenario. There will be little incentive to move mountains for you especially if you show up to battle instead of calling to get more information to make informed decisions.
This is the reality. You can not afford colleges that only award need based financial aid or you have different priorities and do not want to pay that price. After you speak with your financial advisor, then talk to your child about what you can realistically afford. Our kids want honesty.
It would help to know which colleges you are concerned about.