Advice on Financial Aid
Take the time to seek out financial aid and scholarships—apply for outside scholarships and as many AC ones as you are eligible for. When you apply to AC, you'll automatically be considered for an academic scholarship, and if you have a good GPA, you're sure to get some money spread over your four years here. Many students who sing or play an instrument apply for a music scholarship and get some help there, even if they don't plan on majoring or minoring in music.
The Financial Aid staff is nice and willing to work with you, so fill out the FAFSA on time, and don't be afraid to take initiative when talking to Financial Aid. Almost all students here are on some form of aid, even if it's just an academic scholarship, so don't be shy. If your FAFSA does not really reflect how your finances are (for example FAFSA does not reflect that you have a parent in college but that certainly does impact your family finances) you can appeal your financial aid package. Just talk, talk, and talk some more to the lovely people in the Wortham Center, and you should be able to attend AC without breaking the bank too much.