You are throwing away a sure thing for a marketing slogan, and you are obviously banking on making an amount on the higher end of that scale because the number is just too tempting to pass by. You do know, of course, that universities exist to make money so they are naturally going to tell you what you want to hear, yes?

I went to a top tier school. Take it from me, you've got a good thing going for you but you're too young to know it. Honestly if I were your dad, I would hesitate to even co-sign your loans. He's already "paid" for your education by putting in the time it took to get a free ride and you're throwing it in his face. If he co-signs tens of thousands in loans and you fail to pay, he's fucked. If you can make it through without his signature or cash, go for it but otherwise, you're asking for something that is above and beyond the normal call of duty. And I say this as someone whose parents helped her through college. But I didn't have the free ride that you do. Asking for financial help when it's not necessary is just very silly.