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[quote=Anonymous]For most people I know in real life, the anger and frustration comes from two main places.

First - colleges have gotten so much more expensive so quickly.  And the cost is one of the very few things in life where what you are charged depends on some opaque calculation that the school makes based on limited information.  And you really have no idea what they are going to charge. You can research and learn that x% of students get x% of aid but that doesn't tell you what your student will get (merit or need).  The NPCs are not great if you don't fit into the usual categories, and they don't always show merit aid. So you have to apply in order to learn what they are going to charge you.  And by then your student has invested time and energy in order to show interest and write a "why this school" essay and is invested in it.  Then you have to say no because whatever magic calculation the school did comes out different that your guess.  That is wrong and frustrating.  All these luxury goods analogies only make sense if the dealership is making up significantly different prices for every person who walks in the door based on vague criteria.

and second - I don't think most people are bothered by the truly low income students getting a different price.  For most people I know it's when you see the neighbor or classmate who you've known for years getting a different price.  You've seen the house remodel or the new cars or the boats or the vacation photos.  But now suddenly this family is getting significant aid.  Maybe it's legitimate, maybe they are lying, but that is when the people I know get annoyed.  When they seem someone who appears to be in the same bucket as they are getting charged a significantly different amount.

I do agree that not everyone is "owed" an expensive private school education.  Most middle income families can make something work at a lower ranked school, and that is fine.  It is just frustrating when the colleges play the games with pricing and then you watch your neighbor get a different cost.

As far as saving and making choices - these arguments get ridiculous.  I had spontaneous twins. It was not my choice to have two kids in school at the same time, but there it is.  I didn't choose to have 3 out 4 grandparents get sick/need support/pass away (no inheritance). I didn't choose for one child to have significant medical needs not covered by insurance.  I didn't choose for our income to increase just as our kids are becoming college aged.  It is what it is and we will do what we need to do, but for many many people, it isn't about cutting out Starbucks.[/quote]

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