Two years of cc, got it. Smart and affordable choice these days (some services at full-pay private universities can’t be used by everyone, so why pay for them over four years?). IIRC that means transfer students aren’t eligible for full-tuition merit at schools? Or does this vary by school?
So the plan is, at a minimum, to afford the local university in two years, and that’s do-able.
You’re building the coffers for two years from now, then, for possible full-pay admissions for junior/senior year. So you have time to prepare and are looking for income generation. Then the advice about all family members trying to pitch in for this expense is still viable, and probably the best bet.
Her job is absolutely to research going away to schools she likes that can be made affordable. Her goals (which I’m sure you’re already aware of):
-top marks in all subjects to make her transfer applications more viable
-work/internship/club/volunteering experience that shows what impact she’ll make on campus
-a list of schools she wants to apply to with information on how much it will be to transfer
-followed by information on any scholarships she can earn to make the COA affordable
Next: even if she is in cc now, are there any scholarships she can earn?
-she doesn’t have tuition for the next few years, but what about other expenses?
-scholarships can include expenses for: conferences, travel/learning abroad during the summer, laptops/student equipment, etc.; anything useful to a student experience
My kid did a cc de degree along with high school, and we also were not charged tuition (but had various fees). I remember seeing that the cc had scholarship applications for students, and there might be money out there for your daughter while she is there, so she should source it!
The biggest thing is to reverse-engineer any significant money she can get as a transfer student to her schools of choice, if applicable. Read the applications, and see what they are looking for in successful candidates. What are the profiles of current awardees? Your daughter has the time to plan to apply not just to the schools but any possible scholarship/grant/what-have-yous said schools offer.
This can be a drag to do and a time suck. Can you or your wife do some cursory searching to cut down on the noise for her (she has homework, perhaps a job, other considerations). Sometimes researching “US-based college scholarships” is so broad it’s overwhelming. Better to get some leads funneled down that could apply to her (of national scholarships - the ones at her cc she can check out herself).
I just feel like she is a key part of this economic equation since it’s her education and costs these days have outpaced inflation. Neither you nor her need a massive debt for two years of college (obviously why this current path is the one she’s on).
Time and planning are on your side here.