<p>I believe I am what you call - the OP.</p>
<p>Yes we are on the east coast and we are only considering east coast schools that are within 4-5 driving distance of home. </p>
<p>Collectively you all have convinced me that there won’t be any need-based aid for us, and merit aid is our only chance of lightening our personal financial load. </p>
<p>It was a FinAid 101 lesson for me - thank you all for your patience. </p>
<p>On our list of schools are some which do give merit aid, but the one we are passionate about (UPenn) does not.</p>
<p>I’ve been crunching numbers on and off all day, reading your posts, trying to see where the money will come from. My Excel spreadsheet is staring at me, especially the cell that shows that $4626 per month will be needed. I can only laugh at this point, and use cliches like - "where there is a will, there is a way! "</p>
<p>kelsmom - I’d check with other State Farm insurance agents as some carriers allow you NOT to carry your ‘away at school’ child on your policy if you can prove it with yearly paper work. Call around to a few agents, some insurance agents aren’t the most scrupulous (from my experience). Sorry if I offend any insurance agents with that comment! </p>
<p>Have a good night everyone. Steve</p>