My son was offered an athletic scholarship at StBon. He visited the school and liked it a lot. Said, “I could go here and be happy”. Also liked the SUNY that accepted him—no money there. He picked a school all wrong for him due to totally off reasons in the end, but we went with it. It was a financial reach for us but we wanted him to have his choice.
In your case, it all hinges on your DD whether she can keep that large merit award that makes her first choice affordable. The $16k left to pay would not be orneroud after summer and school jobs, tightening of the proverbial belt and parental contributions. If she loses the award, let her know that she’d likrly have to come home and commute to school which is how things ended up for one of mine. Up to her. Which is what it’s all about. Just make sure all the facts and rules are clear
It’s not like she is starting out with a huge financial reach school. She did earn that scholarship