@thumper1 I completed my FAFSA today with my dad. Our EFC is ~$21k, which I assume is an ANNUAL expected measure of family contribution. If this is the case, then that estimate is wrong in reality. The reality is my dad can comfortably afford to pay ~$10k a year because of the mortgaging costs of our home. I was wondering if FAFSA would inquire about mortgage costs, but it explicitly said to include only those of other homes that we do not live in, as well as other assets like investments and businesses.
With that being said, VT would certainly be out of our price range if OOS. Either way, whether if I go to VT as an instate student or attend another college, my father is expecting to incur debt. I’ve offered to take on the debt under my name because I worry about the stress it might impose upon him, but he refused.
By the way, our loan estimate is $5500.