Thank you for your answers.
It sounds like student one has a plan already.
For number 2, that SAT and GPA could net this kid decent merit aid depending on what those numbers actually are. @tsbna44 can give you some info about schools with auto merit and what it takes to get it at various places.
For number 3…it’s a little early to look at specific colleges, in my opinion, but the stronger his record is in high school, the better chance that kid has of getting merit aid someplace.
You can’t wind the clock backwards, I agree. Work with what you have and know.
I still say…merit aid is your friend. It is not income dependent.