“They are more willing to pay full tuition to UCLA because of its reputation.”
Once again I don’t understand their viewpoint. I realize that they weren’t born on the east coast, but Michigan has a better academic reputation in that part of the country. You live in the NE, not in China or the west coast. Make it clear to them that in the northeast, Michigan trumps UCLA in prestige. I am just trying to figure out ways to get them to pay so you can be happy in your collegiate choice.