I too am a single mom with and EFC higher than our state colleges. This EFC is unaffordable to me. D’s dad will not and is not legally required to contribute for college and he is a high earner. So NO CSS schools for us. When D was in 7th grade she knocked the Duke Tip SAT out of the park. I realized then that NMF was going to be our plan. I have D take the SAT yearly unprepped. Her score goes up every year. Also she has taken PSAT 8/9 both in 8th and 9th.
D is a rising 10th grader. She has known since 6th/7th grade that only HUGE AUTO MERIT schools are the target for us. So she will prep supper hard the summer before 11th grade for PSAT/SAT.
It was good finding out early on what the reality is that we are facing. I will not risk my home equity, retirement, personal savings. As I would only be a burden to her if I am not financially stable during retirement time. I do think I can contribute appx 12K a year out of current income if there are no job changes for me.
No Loans is my goal for myself and for my child. Luckily D hopped on board with this philosophy…edit we do not live a prestigious area of the country. So she does not get much peer pressure for top 20-50 type schools.