When is the best time to start an appeal/"discussion" abt financial aid with college?

Thanks, blossom. Good points.

We have already scratched a few schools off the list on that basis. State flagship OOS → offered $4k a year off a $53k ticket. Nope, not even visiting.

We are looking more closely at the line items now. My original rough estimates were tuition+ room & board. Clearly there is more but good point that there may be variability in those items.