Why do some parents come on to college boards...

[Anonymous]

at this time of year and express dismay that the school didn't give their otherwise full pay kid more money? Their kid applied to a school where it was clear that the school was not going to provide full rides. Maybe tuition only, maybe very generous merit, but never full rides. Or if the school did have such robust scholarships and your DC wasn't selected, where was your Plan B?

And why are folks so clueless about outside scholarships? There are few generous ones. Most are small and non-recurring.

If there was all this extra money out there, folks wouldn't be in such debt. But some parents carry on as if there must be endless money and one of us will just tell them where to look.

[Anonymous]

Everyone has to start somewhere. Things get real around junior year, before that fantasies go unchecked. If you know too much, and this is a bother, maybe it’s time to quit reading the forum.

[Anonymous]

When my kids were babies 18 years ago--the top privates were around 55-60k. My kid's top choice is now just under $90k.

That is a big difference for the amount of time, college prices really inflated.

Many sock away in the 529 at set rates when their kids are small...and like someone said then at some point in HS they realize inflation has spiked tuition rates. Life is busy with kids and you aren't tracking college rates so carefully...and then you open your eyes and the sh*t is real.

My neighbors with a newborn had no idea their alma mater now cost $87k full-pay. They have only been out of school 8-10 years.

Fwiw, 4 years go my kids' private HS was $24k and next year it is $33k. The last two years had the biggest increases in tuition in over a decade or more. No longer the 1.5-2.5%.

[Anonymous]

To add to the above commentary...they realize T25 and above you ain't getting no $$. They aren't throwing merit aid around. If you make $250k HHI or anything more--forget it.

[Anonymous]

Rich entitled parents who think others should pay.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:at this time of year and express dismay that the school didn't give their otherwise full pay kid more money? Their kid applied to a school where it was clear that the school was not going to provide full rides. Maybe tuition only, maybe very generous merit, but never full rides. Or if the school did have such robust scholarships and your DC wasn't selected, where was your Plan B?

And why are folks so clueless about outside scholarships? There are few generous ones. Most are small and non-recurring.

If there was all this extra money out there, folks wouldn't be in such debt. But some parents carry on as if there must be endless money and one of us will just tell them where to look.

Agree. Plus, some try to disparage schools when they are rejected. Do your homework and grow up, people.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:When my kids were babies 18 years ago--the top privates were around 55-60k. My kid's top choice is now just under $90k.

That is a big difference for the amount of time, college prices really inflated.

Many sock away in the 529 at set rates when their kids are small...and like someone said then at some point in HS they realize inflation has spiked tuition rates. Life is busy with kids and you aren't tracking college rates so carefully...and then you open your eyes and the sh*t is real.

My neighbors with a newborn had no idea their alma mater now cost $87k full-pay. They have only been out of school 8-10 years.

Fwiw, 4 years go my kids' private HS was $24k and next year it is $33k. The last two years had the biggest increases in tuition in over a decade or more. No longer the 1.5-2.5%.

We've saved since birth. My kids will still go to a state school. See how that works. If you are paying for private school and have a large income, you can afford it or you need to make different choices. None of this is a surprise. Stop making excuses.

[Anonymous]

I just appealed for more money to the private school my daughter really wants to attend.

We had planned on being able to full pay public university, and this school does sometimes give enough money to bring it in line with what public school costs. Currently, they are $15K per year too much. Trying to get them to acknowledge this and send more money our way. Which isn't "real" money anyway - this is all discounts off their overinflated tuition cost, as no one there pays full price.

[Anonymous]

When kid was born in 2007, a friend told me four years' tuition at a private college would cost $400k by the time she was 18. Looks like my friend was right -- or close to it. It's not pleasant, but it's also not surprising to me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:When my kids were babies 18 years ago--the top privates were around 55-60k. My kid's top choice is now just under $90k.

That is a big difference for the amount of time, college prices really inflated.

Many sock away in the 529 at set rates when their kids are small...and like someone said then at some point in HS they realize inflation has spiked tuition rates. Life is busy with kids and you aren't tracking college rates so carefully...and then you open your eyes and the sh*t is real.

My neighbors with a newborn had no idea their alma mater now cost $87k full-pay. They have only been out of school 8-10 years.

Fwiw, 4 years go my kids' private HS was $24k and next year it is $33k. The last two years had the biggest increases in tuition in over a decade or more. No longer the 1.5-2.5%.

We've saved since birth. My kids will still go to a state school. See how that works. If you are paying for private school and have a large income, you can afford it or you need to make different choices. None of this is a surprise. Stop making excuses.

Not making excuses. We are paying. Gave the kid state or private options. I'm replying to OP who is confused 'why'. We can afford to pay--but I was also stunned when I saw just how much college tuition increased by the time my kid was a senior.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:When kid was born in 2007, a friend told me four years' tuition at a private college would cost $400k by the time she was 18. Looks like my friend was right -- or close to it. It's not pleasant, but it's also not surprising to me.

This. Lots of people thought 'no way'. Keep thinking there will be a tipping point, but people keep paying.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I just appealed for more money to the private school my daughter really wants to attend.

We had planned on being able to full pay public university, and this school does sometimes give enough money to bring it in line with what public school costs. Currently, they are $15K per year too much. Trying to get them to acknowledge this and send more money our way. Which isn't "real" money anyway - this is all discounts off their overinflated tuition cost, as no one there pays full price.

Nobody caved for our appeals so far. I think yields are going to be hurting this year. More waitlist movement.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I just appealed for more money to the private school my daughter really wants to attend.

We had planned on being able to full pay public university, and this school does sometimes give enough money to bring it in line with what public school costs. Currently, they are $15K per year too much. Trying to get them to acknowledge this and send more money our way. Which isn't "real" money anyway - this is all discounts off their overinflated tuition cost, as no one there pays full price.

Nobody caved for our appeals so far. I think yields are going to be hurting this year. More waitlist movement.

Hmm, the people who didn't cave know a lot more about yields than you do.

[Anonymous]

I have a FB friend who has been venting nonstop that one particular private school expects her child to be full pay. She is shocked and angry that after filling out the FAFSA her child gets nothing. I am surprised that she believed that her child’s tuition needs would be covered by FA. She apparently keeps calling the school to argue because her child is set on this school. I just don’t get why she can’t let it go. There is nothing special about her situation. We’re a donut hole family and limited our kids to options in our budget: state schools, low cost public schools OOS that we can fully afford, and private schools known for generous MA where our kids were considered high stats. We made it clear that MA is not promised so they shouldn’t put all their eggs in one basket. They now attend the state U.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:When my kids were babies 18 years ago--the top privates were around 55-60k. My kid's top choice is now just under $90k.

That is a big difference for the amount of time, college prices really inflated.

Many sock away in the 529 at set rates when their kids are small...and like someone said then at some point in HS they realize inflation has spiked tuition rates. Life is busy with kids and you aren't tracking college rates so carefully...and then you open your eyes and the sh*t is real.

My neighbors with a newborn had no idea their alma mater now cost $87k full-pay. They have only been out of school 8-10 years.

Fwiw, 4 years go my kids' private HS was $24k and next year it is $33k. The last two years had the biggest increases in tuition in over a decade or more. No longer the 1.5-2.5%.

We've saved since birth. My kids will still go to a state school. See how that works. If you are paying for private school and have a large income, you can afford it or you need to make different choices. None of this is a surprise. Stop making excuses.

Same. People try to use the excuse - "but we only just started making $500k a year.....WHAAAAHHHHH....." Are you effing serious? Or, they are spoiled, their parents paid for their college (and everything else), they have no idea what stuff costs, and they expect their parents (even though they are grown adults) and other people to literally bail them out. Cry me a river - you work under the table for ten plus years with free benefits, you pay for your own college - before someone reports you.