My son is in a similar situation(though we are American and Alabama residents) and are also waiting to hear about Questbridge. Income last year was 7,800 but no real savings, 3.94 GPA, 24 ACT(waiting on scores from the last test). Alabama and UAH have automatic merit if we can get the scores up enough, and though it wouldn’t be our first choice Prairie View A&M in Texas has engineering and merit scholarships with a lower threshold for scores. I really don’t think petroleum engineering is a bad choice because there will continue to be a demand for it, at least for several years. My Dad’s cousin is a retired petroleum engineer and still does some consulting, his younger daughter has gone into the field as well and went to work right away. He was talking to my son not long ago and he thinks it is still a good field to go into, but you have to go where the work is, usually Texas or Louisiana.