WHOA! USC went over $90,000 a year startling this fall!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This country is failing.

The cost of a college education (even at state schools) has gotten way out of hand.

They sharp spike upward in cost which isn't even remotely close to the pace of salaries is crazy.

Once the fed loan program came in and schools found out people would just borrow, borrow and borrow some more...the tuitions started spiking. And colleges started to become like country clubs with huge sports centers and coffee bars and luxury dorms, etc. I had a dorm room without air conditioning, that was bare bones and the cafeteria which was equivalent to my public high school cafeteria. Now these kids can get health shakes and have 50 different lunch options.

The country is not failing. It will be just fine. I agree state school should be cheaper but the way to do that is by the ballot box and I do not think there is real support for that. There is no sharp spike upwards. It has been moving steady for decades. Inflation is hurting colleges right now and they pass that pain down. I hear what you are saying on bare bones (that was my experience) but times change. What also changes is how many really rich people that there are in this country. People think it is just a few -- it is not and they are the people going to lots of these colleges. And they want what they want.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is estimated cost of attendance. Not what you would actually pay the school.

That's the issue. Peoplr who are wealthy or get aid, don't understand why cost of attendance needs to be lower enough for paying families to afford.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If USC can get someone to pay that, good for them. It is just business.

The government, via parent plus loans (20% default rate) or Sallie Mae student loans. Rarely do such loans end up getting paid back in full. A school can say “our COA is $200k” and or any other number and the government will hand over the money. Grad plus loans, same story except no parent needed.

America!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is estimated cost of attendance. Not what you would actually pay the school.

There are plenty who do pay full price. Make enough and there are no other options at the Top schools

That’s not what PP is saying. You’re conflating cost of attendance with tuition. Of course your kids could make cheaper housing choices to keep it down, for example. Also your kids can work, and in a HCOL place they’ll be paid better.

Why her kid has to live in cheaper housing (must he really bed in HCOL) AND work even though family is paying top dollars for tuition and he has to reimburse later. Shouldn't he also benefit from some aid?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If USC can get someone to pay that, good for them. It is just business.

The government, via parent plus loans (20% default rate) or Sallie Mae student loans. Rarely do such loans end up getting paid back in full. A school can say “our COA is $200k” and or any other number and the government will hand over the money. Grad plus loans, same story except no parent needed.

America!

All you need is an elderly relative on medicaid willing to sign up for a parent plus. Who cares what the interest rate is, they can take it from the estate

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If USC can get someone to pay that, good for them. It is just business.

The government, via parent plus loans (20% default rate) or Sallie Mae student loans. Rarely do such loans end up getting paid back in full. A school can say “our COA is $200k” and or any other number and the government will hand over the money. Grad plus loans, same story except no parent needed.

America!

All you need is an elderly relative on medicaid willing to sign up for a parent plus. Who cares what the interest rate is, they can take it from the estate

Which causes this ballooning tuition. Imagine if you could get a mortgage for the entire cost of any house, with minimal credit requirements. Every house would be $5,000,000 or more, obviously.

[Anonymous]

How is this his fault that college cost is crazy, he can't qualify for aid, he cant get enough loan or work to pay for it? Unless parents agree to pay, he has no shot to attend a top school.

That being said, USC is rich kids playground, even if somehow donut hole family manages to pay basics, he'll poorest there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If USC can get someone to pay that, good for them. It is just business.

The government, via parent plus loans (20% default rate) or Sallie Mae student loans. Rarely do such loans end up getting paid back in full. A school can say “our COA is $200k” and or any other number and the government will hand over the money. Grad plus loans, same story except no parent needed.

America!

All you need is an elderly relative on medicaid willing to sign up for a parent plus. Who cares what the interest rate is, they can take it from the estate

They garnish SS if you don’t pay

[Anonymous]

Colleges with large endowments claiming non profit status and getting federal grants, need to lower COA FOR ALL.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Colleges with large endowments claiming non profit status and getting federal grants, need to lower COA FOR ALL.

+1