Not just poor need aid

WHEN it comes to college education, my parents have always told me, "Don't worry about the money." I grew up with only one goal in mind: to get into the best college I can, no matter how much money it may cost.

[Director of Financial Aid]

Nikiya:

You might be happy to know that many schools have been doing exactly what you suggest for quite some time. Most schools have not been able to afford the "pure need" model sustained during the last ten years or so by the Ivies and 'little Ivies'(some of which you mention in your essay). Most "lesser" colleges are working with financial aid strategies that serve the market/self-imposed 'enrollment goals' of the institution (i.e.merit, athletics, diversity, program specialization, etc.), many of which are based upon the merit model you recommend. The real problem is that college prices are artificially high because the market wants a costly 'country club' environment where every non-academic need of today's student can be served. If students and their families demanded education program quality over other amenities, we might begin to see some change. After all, the market makes the final decision.

[L Byrne Texas]

The simple reality is that, in America at least, higher education is not a right. It is a privilege. Financial aid programs were designed to assist those who were truly unable to afford the costs of attendance. The simple fact is that those in middle and upper incomes CAN afford higher education; but they've opted to direct their income elsewhere (higher cost housing, higher cost cars, credit cards, high end clothing--things students from "needy" families do not typically opt for). If you've made a conscious decision to direct your extra income elsewhere, rather than save for higher education, its unreasonable to expect that government will make up the income for you. Of course, if things change and America opts to direct more tax dollars towards subsidizing higher education (which of course means you pay more in taxes), then the expectation that more individuals could qualify for assistance would be reasonable.

[M Wilcox]

I am so glad that even high school student is beginning to reconize the problem that is being experienced by many students today. As a country we are so worried about helping the disadvantaged that is now better to be disadvantaged then make a decent wage and make ends meet. It is almost like we are rewarding it . There should be more rewards for hard work and accomplishments. As a financial Aid administrator and a middle income parent, I deal with this problem every day. Thank You Nikiya for speaking out on the behalf of your friends.

[CB09 - Aid Amin]

BRAVO! If only congress could see things as clearly as a high school senior.