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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]I will preface this by saying [b]college costs have gotten out of control [/b]and the FAFSA is flawed. But it is based on the premise that you’ll fund school through 3 sources: 1) current earnings, 2) loans you’ll pay back in the future, and 3) savings you’ve accumulated for the 18 years you’ve had this kid. People forget about 2 and 3.

And there’s no a nice way to say this, but a college degree isn’t a right. [b]Pick a cheaper school. You don’t buy a Mercedes when you can only afford a Hyundai and expect the government to make up the difference[/b].[/quote]

I agree with you, provided that college costs *relative to household income* have risen dramatically in the last few decades.  In the 70s and 80s, it wasn't a choice between a Hyundai and a Mercedes, really.  It was a Hyundai or say, a Honda or Toyota.  The cost of private school was higher, but not astronomical.

According to an online inflation calculator, my alma mater, which cost about $8,000/year when I started there in 1980, would cost about $28K had cost increases been limited to the pace of inflation.  Instead, it now costs $78K.  Totally out of reach for all but the very wealthy, and those truly in need.

"Pick a cheaper school" doesn't speak to this issue.[/quote]

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