http://www.squaremeals.org/Publications/IncomeEligibilityGuidelines.aspx
A family of 4 can make $45,510 a year and qualify for reduced lunch.
Most schools that meet 100% demonstrated need with no loan options are very competitive to gain admissions with many now having a 10% or less admit rate.
If this is your concern, earning 42k will still make your child eligible for Questbridge.
However as @mom2collegekids stated, most schools with really generous financial aid policies will request the income/assets of the non-custodial parent, despite what your relationship with him is (getting waivers are becoming harder to obtain).
Don’t cut your nose to spite your face. Take the better job because it is going to help your family more in the long run.
Don’t forget there is no such thing as a free lunch. Even if your child gets a generous financial aid package
you are still responsible for getting your child back and forth to school (train, plane or automobile). I know I had to give my D $100 each way just to get herself to and from the airport
And financial aid that she gets for non qualified educational expenses: fees room and board is taxable income
In addition you are going to need start up money, minimally for blankets, sheets, pillows, laundry detergent school supplies etc
If you don’t have adequate heath insurance, you have to purchase the schools health plan, which will add on a few thousand dollars
Your D will need to achieve summer earnings which can be $3-4 k. If she does not earn this money, the school does not make up the difference.
Your kid is a HS sophomore. Why can’t she get herself to school? Why do you need to give up salary earnings to drive her back and forth?
There are inexpensive ways to get a business casual wardrobe…look at consignment shops or Goodwill. Lots of NICE things being donated.
Take the better paying job. Even at $42,000 a year income, you should still qualify for reduced lunch.
I was a low income student. A $13k income increase at that income level won’t materially affect need based aid at colleges that offer substantial aid, but it will make an enormous difference in your lives. Your daughter may be able to afford activities that will improve her college application. The transition from a uniform job to one that doesn’t require a uniform can be mentally freeing for you. An increase of ~$1000/month has to have a positive affect on your day to day lives.
Even if she gets a lot of need based aid, you’ll still be responsible for transportation, health insurance, and books. Some classes require extra fees, and scholarships don’t cover those. Professional conferences, research trips, and academic field trips aren’t covered either. That extra money will help a lot. I don’t see a downside to accepting a better paying job.