Thank you @twoinanddone , @austinmshauri , @thumper1, @mommdc for your replies.
@thumper1 – our in-state college is a top three elite public college (almost similar ranking to UMich or even better than UMich) and D got accepted for engineering there as well. But she is not interested in attending that college.
Regarding affording for college tuition costs, was relying on merit scholarships. Almost all colleges gave D good scholarships except the top choice colleges (Purdue, UMich, UIUC, UMD, Gatech did not give any merit scholarships).
one of our in-state is giving free tuition scholarship. But again want to give choice to D which college she wants to attend.
parents (middle class) did save for 4-year college.
different net calculators gave varying numbers but all above 50K EFC. so not qualify for financial aid.
hence did not fill our FAFSA.
But recently came across on Purdue website that FAFSA is needed even for some merit scholarships.
so now, reconsidering applying for FAFSA.