This is our #3 too which is likely affects our point of view. Our other kids have done well. Both went to smaller schools, with merit money, and on to good graduate programs. Sounds like my oldest and your D had similar situations right down to the NSF funding. I will absolutely share your post with my son this weekend. These are things I know too, but there is a lot of emotion around the process. I do tell him wherever he goes he needs to be at the top - good gpa and to look at opportunities for research and internships because that matters. The best grad programs draw from more than the Ivies…Thanks for the good wishes.