Great post, @happymomof1! First order of business is coming up with what is affordable ($20k seems to be the number) and what OP is SURE to be able to get beyond that. Like those Direct loans, employment money. Unless definitely eligible for PELL, no guarantee that schools are going to give out aid to make it affordable. Running NPCs for specific schools give an idea what each expects in payment. I think I’ve addressed this OP in another thread. MA has some smaller state schools that can be affordable especially if both student and parents take out reasonable amounts in loans like $5500 each freshman year. The UMass schools might even be affordable with summer and college year work. Definitely Bridgewater, Salem, Fitchburg, Framingham.