If your kid needs need based aid…apply for need based aid. Maybe you can scrape together one year of $70,000 a year costs…but can you do 4 years?
Really, even if there is an edge for being full pay, it’s not huge. Your kid would still need to meet the standard for acceptance at these schools.
I just can’t imagine NOT applying for need based financial aid if you really need and qualify for it.
An acceptance without sufficient aid to attend might as well be a rejection.