Elite schools will only give need based aid and they have their own way of determining needs. They don’t do admission based on your ability to pay.
Your kid could get merit aid for next level down. In essence those schools are buying your kid’s academic prowess.
We were not eligible for any need based aids, but D1 was offered a full ride at her safety school.
You need to decide before your kid apply to schools what you are willing to pay and for what kind of school. There is no magical thinking of just apply to where you want to go and there will be money (some how) to pay for it.
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