Low income NY girl seeking small teacher’s college/liberal arts college

Since you are low income and live in NY, you might want to focus on SUNY or CUNY. If you get Pell, Tap, independent student loan of $12,500, then it might be affordable.

https://www.hesc.ny.gov/repay-your-loans/repayment-options-assistance/loan-forgiveness-cancellation-and-discharge/nys-teacher-loan-forgiveness-program.html