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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]DD is fortunate to have good options to consider and feels very grateful but conflicted. She was accepted to six schools, five of which offered generous merit and/or talent scholarships. The sixth school offered nothing but acceptance, which was a reach. She’s feeling guilty about wanting the more prestigious school she loves when the other schools seem to love her more. We have the money to pay for the sixth school (OOS public), but it will hurt. Thoughts? Advice?[/quote]

Depends how much "it will hurt"?  Can you pay for $70K/year and need to take fed and parent loans for the last $20?  Or is it "we can afford $40K/year and will be taking $50K/year in loans"?

Either way, it's time to have an honest discussion with your kid about finances. Sit them down, figure out what the average starting salary is for their major, what it is 5-10 years, etc.  Then go thru details about COLA in the city/area they might want to live.  Apartment rent, utlitilies, streaming, Internet, Groceries, Car payments, insurance, saving for Roth IRA, saving for retirement in 401K, and everything else that makes a real budget for a 22-30 yo.  
Then show them how much those loans (assuming you will make them assume the loans after graduation) will cost them monthly and for HOW many YEARS.  
Because even $80K in loans is a LOT of money

Now, did you discuss finances before?  Does your kid know that you can really only help pay a certain amount for college?  Because if "it's going to hurt", I'd highly recommend selecting one of the 5 with excellent merit.  Your kid cannot take out more than $27K total for 4 years in federal loans.  And I personally would not allow them to take on more (which means you as a parent dont' take on more)

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