Most high schools use the term to mean a college that was not your number one pick but a fall back college that you would be happy to attend and yes affordable. I talked to my friend that is a college counselor and she said students the last two years are not getting into their safeties like they used to. She said if you get accepted by more then a few colleges your doing really well. Her kids might be applying to more reaches due to their status as a school though.