<p>@agreatperhaps I know how frustrating it is when parents aren’t really ontop of their financial situation. What I did was figured I’d be paying for all of my college myself. I took the merit aid I hoped to get subtracted it from the tuition of different colleges. If you can estimate your family EFC (ask for W2 and tax forms and go to an online calculator) take that “family contribution” and go into the process thinking you will have to cover that yourself. </p>
<p>And, by the way, I enjoy your user name. John Green fan, are we? Maybe even a nerdfighter? :)</p>