<p>If you can’t afford it, you can’t go. Call the UF admission office and see what they can work out. It isn’t necessarily “too late.” The only way out of an ED contract is financial hardship, but this is financial hardship. So…Don’t be shy or embarrassed and just call UF. The worst thing they can say is “no.” But, and you never know, they may say yes. It’s tough to know. Or, they may say, yes, but next year. </p>
<p>I find the whole system whereby schools tell kids and parents all sorts of stuff about financial aid and not to be concerned about cost, and then change their offers and switch around, and whatnot to be highly unethical. I find the constant defense of these institutions’ unethical behavior hillarious. “Don’t double deposit!” These are kids. The schools are run by adults. They have honor codes and like to pull out the “honesty” card at every turn, but this practice is extremely dishonest. “How dare a kid apply to a college without first telling them they will need aid???” How dare a school continue to send out these lies about costs and then offer these kids crippling debt and call it “aid?” Aid to WHAT? Aid to the schools, not the kids.</p>
<p>It’s ridiculous.</p>
<p>Call UF and see what you can work out. If you have to take a year off? So what. I know at your age everything feels incredibly urgent, but it isn’t. You have lots and lots of time to grow up and get an education and go to work and all the rest of it. Time is on your side right now: take advantage of it.</p>