How.do you afford private school? Any suggestions?

[Anonymous]

In a way it shows not even high HHI can afford these schools only inheritors and expats (paid by company).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So I should pay more in tuition so you can afford the car you want and people to clean your house?

Sheesh! The self justifications in this thread boggle the mind. Why not just say everyone else is doing it so why shouldn't I?

Oh, so now we are not supposed to have a cars? I am SAHM -- how am I going to take DC to after-school activities? Why should our car payments not count against the disposable income we have? The aid we get probably doesn't even amount to much more than our car payments -- it's very modest. Are we supposed to stop paying my mom's mortgage and just put her in a retirement home which will be much worse than the house she lives in now? And DH is just supposed to quit his job bc of mandatory retirement contributions. I don't get the hostility. Anyone can apply for aid and the school decides. They know our financial situation and DH's situation.

Car payment? Frugal people pay for inexpensive cars with cash. Cleaners? Frugal people clean their own houses. Big mortgage? You must have thought there were no houses out there for less than $1M. You are really getting into "let them eat cake" territory here.

There are no houses in NW DC in our target area were all $1.2-$1.7. We are on the lower end of that. Hardly a mansion.

Surely, surely this is a troll post aimed at pissing people off. Someone with a $1 million + house, hundreds of thousands in retirement and a housecleaner is on FA? That's outrageous. Absolutely mind blowing. Why on earth would someone with such a high income take aid, even if it were offered? What would even compel you to apply?What kind of school would allow this? Are there truly no needy applicants to this school or are they just that well off in terms of endowments? My DH and I both work two jobs to help afford private school rather than send our kids to our poor performing and overcrowded zoned public. And when DH misses the bus because his night shift runs long, he walks miles home. And it's worth it! We're really grateful for the FA we receive and the kids' school for offering the assistance. We know plenty of people who are not so fortunate...tried for FA at schools in the hopes of giving their kids a better chance at life and were told that they actually needed too much aid. And you, to whom so much was given (and, in fairness to your spouse, likely well earned), you act as if you are entitled to much, much more. Have you no shame? Obviously not.

[Anonymous]

A poster above said it well -- "The self justifications in this thread boggle the mind."

It's just beyond Ms. BigLaw's comprehension to think that she should compromise her wants in any way because, hey, she can get her less wealthy peers to subsidize her, so party on...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So I should pay more in tuition so you can afford the car you want and people to clean your house?

Sheesh! The self justifications in this thread boggle the mind. Why not just say everyone else is doing it so why shouldn't I?

Oh, so now we are not supposed to have a cars? I am SAHM -- how am I going to take DC to after-school activities? Why should our car payments not count against the disposable income we have? The aid we get probably doesn't even amount to much more than our car payments -- it's very modest. Are we supposed to stop paying my mom's mortgage and just put her in a retirement home which will be much worse than the house she lives in now? And DH is just supposed to quit his job bc of mandatory retirement contributions. I don't get the hostility. Anyone can apply for aid and the school decides. They know our financial situation and DH's situation.

Car payment? Frugal people pay for inexpensive cars with cash. Cleaners? Frugal people clean their own houses. Big mortgage? You must have thought there were no houses out there for less than $1M. You are really getting into "let them eat cake" territory here.

There are no houses in NW DC in our target area were all $1.2-$1.7. We are on the lower end of that. Hardly a mansion.

Surely, surely this is a troll post aimed at pissing people off. Someone with a $1 million + house, hundreds of thousands in retirement and a housecleaner is on FA? That's outrageous. Absolutely mind blowing. Why on earth would someone with such a high income take aid, even if it were offered? What would even compel you to apply?What kind of school would allow this? Are there truly no needy applicants to this school or are they just that well off in terms of endowments? My DH and I both work two jobs to help afford private school rather than send our kids to our poor performing and overcrowded zoned public. And when DH misses the bus because his night shift runs long, he walks miles home. And it's worth it! We're really grateful for the FA we receive and the kids' school for offering the assistance. We know plenty of people who are not so fortunate...tried for FA at schools in the hopes of giving their kids a better chance at life and were told that they actually needed too much aid. And you, to whom so much was given (and, in fairness to your spouse, likely well earned), you act as if you are entitled to much, much more. Have you no shame? Obviously not.

Great. Someone receiving FA criticizing someone else receiving FA. Yea, we dont really want to hear from either of you.

[Anonymous]

I just can't believe the $600k poster is real. First, she never explained why she can't work. She could get a part time job at Starbucks tomorrow during school hours and earn enough to pay what she's getting in FA. Second, a cleaning lady is $5,000 per year so that's half the gap right there. Third, there are plenty of places she can live for less than $1.2 m including NWDC. Fourth, no need for a car payment. You can get a perfectly safe used car. Most importantly even after paying $150 in retirement and student loans there's still plenty of money left over. $450k is a lot of money for one tuition.

If you are a real poster you are the most tone deaf and entitled person I have ever run across in my entire life.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So I should pay more in tuition so you can afford the car you want and people to clean your house?

Sheesh! The self justifications in this thread boggle the mind. Why not just say everyone else is doing it so why shouldn't I?

Oh, so now we are not supposed to have a cars? I am SAHM -- how am I going to take DC to after-school activities? Why should our car payments not count against the disposable income we have? The aid we get probably doesn't even amount to much more than our car payments -- it's very modest. Are we supposed to stop paying my mom's mortgage and just put her in a retirement home which will be much worse than the house she lives in now? And DH is just supposed to quit his job bc of mandatory retirement contributions. I don't get the hostility. Anyone can apply for aid and the school decides. They know our financial situation and DH's situation.

Car payment? Frugal people pay for inexpensive cars with cash. Cleaners? Frugal people clean their own houses. Big mortgage? You must have thought there were no houses out there for less than $1M. You are really getting into "let them eat cake" territory here.

There are no houses in NW DC in our target area were all $1.2-$1.7. We are on the lower end of that. Hardly a mansion.

Surely, surely this is a troll post aimed at pissing people off. Someone with a $1 million + house, hundreds of thousands in retirement and a housecleaner is on FA? That's outrageous. Absolutely mind blowing. Why on earth would someone with such a high income take aid, even if it were offered? What would even compel you to apply?What kind of school would allow this? Are there truly no needy applicants to this school or are they just that well off in terms of endowments? My DH and I both work two jobs to help afford private school rather than send our kids to our poor performing and overcrowded zoned public. And when DH misses the bus because his night shift runs long, he walks miles home. And it's worth it! We're really grateful for the FA we receive and the kids' school for offering the assistance. We know plenty of people who are not so fortunate...tried for FA at schools in the hopes of giving their kids a better chance at life and were told that they actually needed too much aid. And you, to whom so much was given (and, in fairness to your spouse, likely well earned), you act as if you are entitled to much, much more. Have you no shame? Obviously not.

Great. Someone receiving FA criticizing someone else receiving FA. Yea, we dont really want to hear from either of you.

Totally disagree. If people game the system it leaves less money for those who actually need it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So I should pay more in tuition so you can afford the car you want and people to clean your house?

Sheesh! The self justifications in this thread boggle the mind. Why not just say everyone else is doing it so why shouldn't I?

Oh, so now we are not supposed to have a cars? I am SAHM -- how am I going to take DC to after-school activities? Why should our car payments not count against the disposable income we have? The aid we get probably doesn't even amount to much more than our car payments -- it's very modest. Are we supposed to stop paying my mom's mortgage and just put her in a retirement home which will be much worse than the house she lives in now? And DH is just supposed to quit his job bc of mandatory retirement contributions. I don't get the hostility. Anyone can apply for aid and the school decides. They know our financial situation and DH's situation.

Car payment? Frugal people pay for inexpensive cars with cash. Cleaners? Frugal people clean their own houses. Big mortgage? You must have thought there were no houses out there for less than $1M. You are really getting into "let them eat cake" territory here.

There are no houses in NW DC in our target area were all $1.2-$1.7. We are on the lower end of that. Hardly a mansion.

Surely, surely this is a troll post aimed at pissing people off. Someone with a $1 million + house, hundreds of thousands in retirement and a housecleaner is on FA? That's outrageous. Absolutely mind blowing. Why on earth would someone with such a high income take aid, even if it were offered? What would even compel you to apply?What kind of school would allow this? Are there truly no needy applicants to this school or are they just that well off in terms of endowments? My DH and I both work two jobs to help afford private school rather than send our kids to our poor performing and overcrowded zoned public. And when DH misses the bus because his night shift runs long, he walks miles home. And it's worth it! We're really grateful for the FA we receive and the kids' school for offering the assistance. We know plenty of people who are not so fortunate...tried for FA at schools in the hopes of giving their kids a better chance at life and were told that they actually needed too much aid. And you, to whom so much was given (and, in fairness to your spouse, likely well earned), you act as if you are entitled to much, much more. Have you no shame? Obviously not.

Great. Someone receiving FA criticizing someone else receiving FA. Yea, we dont really want to hear from either of you.

Totally disagree. If people game the system it leaves less money for those who actually need it.

Oh, so if you have made enough bad decisions in your life or you are just plain stupid, and thus dont have the necessary income to pay for the
School then you should get FA and others should pay for your child. Presumably the thought is they should pay so they do not end up poor and depedent like their parents?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So I should pay more in tuition so you can afford the car you want and people to clean your house?

Sheesh! The self justifications in this thread boggle the mind. Why not just say everyone else is doing it so why shouldn't I?

Oh, so now we are not supposed to have a cars? I am SAHM -- how am I going to take DC to after-school activities? Why should our car payments not count against the disposable income we have? The aid we get probably doesn't even amount to much more than our car payments -- it's very modest. Are we supposed to stop paying my mom's mortgage and just put her in a retirement home which will be much worse than the house she lives in now? And DH is just supposed to quit his job bc of mandatory retirement contributions. I don't get the hostility. Anyone can apply for aid and the school decides. They know our financial situation and DH's situation.

Car payment? Frugal people pay for inexpensive cars with cash. Cleaners? Frugal people clean their own houses. Big mortgage? You must have thought there were no houses out there for less than $1M. You are really getting into "let them eat cake" territory here.

There are no houses in NW DC in our target area were all $1.2-$1.7. We are on the lower end of that. Hardly a mansion.

Surely, surely this is a troll post aimed at pissing people off. Someone with a $1 million + house, hundreds of thousands in retirement and a housecleaner is on FA? That's outrageous. Absolutely mind blowing. Why on earth would someone with such a high income take aid, even if it were offered? What would even compel you to apply?What kind of school would allow this? Are there truly no needy applicants to this school or are they just that well off in terms of endowments? My DH and I both work two jobs to help afford private school rather than send our kids to our poor performing and overcrowded zoned public. And when DH misses the bus because his night shift runs long, he walks miles home. And it's worth it! We're really grateful for the FA we receive and the kids' school for offering the assistance. We know plenty of people who are not so fortunate...tried for FA at schools in the hopes of giving their kids a better chance at life and were told that they actually needed too much aid. And you, to whom so much was given (and, in fairness to your spouse, likely well earned), you act as if you are entitled to much, much more. Have you no shame? Obviously not.

Great. Someone receiving FA criticizing someone else receiving FA. Yea, we dont really want to hear from either of you.

Totally disagree. If people game the system it leaves less money for those who actually need it.

Exactly! FA is designed to help the truly needy, not the greedy.

[Anonymous]

I pay full freight. Im sick of hearing why I should pay for the children of unsuccessful people to attend my kids school. First, its unfair. Second, I dont want my children to be around the children of the poor- to witness their poor habits or the poor habits of their parents. Third, I dont want to mix with these parents- they are by definition, failures. Isnt private school supposed to be a way to keep your kids away from the poor?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I pay full freight. Im sick of hearing why I should pay for the children of unsuccessful people to attend my kids school. First, its unfair. Second, I dont want my children to be around the children of the poor- to witness their poor habits or the poor habits of their parents. Third, I dont want to mix with these parents- they are by definition, failures. Isnt private school supposed to be a way to keep your kids away from the poor?

A new low for DCUM. Good God you are awful.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I hate being snarky, but honestly if you have to ask you probably can't afford it unless you qualify for aid. It sounds like you don't though.

I'll be snarky by saying this - that the majority of ADULTS I know with kids in private get help from their parents.

It's nothing to be proud of.

[Anonymous]

FA allows the top schools to be competitive. If only the rich attended then their admissions to to colleges would be lower. Wealth does not correlate with brains. My son is a FA recipient on his way to a ivy. We are grateful for the FA. But he did a lot for his school winning national awards etc. It works in both directions.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I hate being snarky, but honestly if you have to ask you probably can't afford it unless you qualify for aid. It sounds like you don't though.

I'll be snarky by saying this - that the majority of ADULTS I know with kids in private get help from their parents.

It's nothing to be proud of.

I am proud to receive tuition assistance from my parents. They are so wealthy that paying my kids tuition is estate planning for them. Both of us work and are successful, but like many on this forum could not afford tuition, retirement savings, nice house, and vacations unless parents chipped in for tuition. Of course, we could apply for aid and you'd have an issue with that too. So basically if you get aid at 250 hhi you're a loser or if you get help from parents you're loser.

These schools are smart. Giving aid to families with hhi with 300 or so under ensures they will continue to send their kids year after year whereas the kid who needs 60-90% year after year is not sustainable.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I hate being snarky, but honestly if you have to ask you probably can't afford it unless you qualify for aid. It sounds like you don't though.

I'll be snarky by saying this - that the majority of ADULTS I know with kids in private get help from their parents.

It's nothing to be proud of.

I am proud to receive tuition assistance from my parents. They are so wealthy that paying my kids tuition is estate planning for them. Both of us work and are successful, but like many on this forum could not afford tuition, retirement savings, nice house, and vacations unless parents chipped in for tuition. Of course, we could apply for aid and you'd have an issue with that too. So basically if you get aid at 250 hhi you're a loser or if you get help from parents you're loser.

These schools are smart. Giving aid to families with hhi with 300 or so under ensures they will continue to send their kids year after year whereas the kid who needs 60-90% year after year is not sustainable.

Sort of agree. In some cases you can see it as market-based pricing instead of aid. A student with certain desireable characteristics is worth more to the school, and thus pays less. That's different from mission-based charity. I can see how it would be confusing for people who perceive themselves as "paying for" other people's financial aid. It's probably a good idea for schools that do both charity and market-based pricing to separate the two and have fundraisers etc be exclusively for the charity students.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I hate being snarky, but honestly if you have to ask you probably can't afford it unless you qualify for aid. It sounds like you don't though.

I'll be snarky by saying this - that the majority of ADULTS I know with kids in private get help from their parents.

It's nothing to be proud of.

I am proud to receive tuition assistance from my parents. They are so wealthy that paying my kids tuition is estate planning for them. Both of us work and are successful, but like many on this forum could not afford tuition, retirement savings, nice house, and vacations unless parents chipped in for tuition. Of course, we could apply for aid and you'd have an issue with that too. So basically if you get aid at 250 hhi you're a loser or if you get help from parents you're loser.

These schools are smart. Giving aid to families with hhi with 300 or so under ensures they will continue to send their kids year after year whereas the kid who needs 60-90% year after year is not sustainable.

That is a fair solution. I think what's bothering people is the lack of transparency, which is justified because it is understandable that someone who earns 300 and budgets is not getting aid, but someone who earns 600 is getting some assistance. Colleges encourage all to apply for aid and then provide some degree of discount.

Sort of agree. In some cases you can see it as market-based pricing instead of aid. A student with certain desireable characteristics is worth more to the school, and thus pays less. That's different from mission-based charity. I can see how it would be confusing for people who perceive themselves as "paying for" other people's financial aid. It's probably a good idea for schools that do both charity and market-based pricing to separate the two and have fundraisers etc be exclusively for the charity students.