@thumper1 , you are right about that thread having good advice. I guess I never visited that old thread again.
I started thread when I did not understand the college application process. Lot of parents gave good advice on this forum and helped a lot. At the time I was more concerned about college admission and less about costs.
I will talk to D about in-state options. It is not about old classmates. I guess it is more about change. Initially D really wanted to attend Pitt and that changed over time. so maybe in next couple of months, it will be more clear.
i didn’t mean to brag about in-state being elite specially when we are not even considering that college. now if I re-read my post, it does sound like bragging (sorry).
paying for college would be a combination of (if full OOS fees): savings + student summer internship earnings + loans (loans not needed in first 2 years). Also maybe early graduation ( 3 or 3.5 years).
in this case, purpose of considering filling FAFSA is not for need based aid. it is more for consideration for merit aid (if not for freshman year, maybe in sophomore year) where college says FAFSA should be on file.