<p>Is it possible or desireable to attend a public out-of-state college, and rely solely on aid and loans?</p>
<p>It is not easy at most OOS publics. They do not tend to meet full need, and often the best aid goes to in state students. However, that is not always the case. Many state schools do have earmarked funds for out of staters and un earmarked funds that can go to anyone. If you can find the right school that wants you, it is possible that you can do well. Also some state schools have very generous merit money for kids with the stats they want, and full rides are possible. If you meet the criteria for such programs, it can really be worth your while to go for them. Even schools that are notoriously stingy in rep can go generous for a given person. I know kids who got their best deals, and generous ones they were from out of state publics that are supposed to be tight on any money, and privates that also tend to be parsiminous.</p>