Ridiculous aid... I need some help or advice

@yauponredux is spot on. There shouldn’t be any surprise in aid. There are merit scholarships (few) and need-based scholarships (fewer) from UT and its colleges and departments–no different at other schools nationally that do not guarantee a award up to a family’s EFC. If awarded a merit or need-based scholarship, you would already know. The rest are loan opportunities / burden.