I actually got significant aid from a top 10 school after I explained and documented my family situation (my parents' past year income didn't reflect our financial situation due to a severely ill family member).

But also as someone who went to a top 10 school, eh. My best friend from high school went to our state school and she's a very successful doctor. Many people I went to school with aren't as successful as she is. I honestly believe a lot of that ranking stuff is marketing.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I can’t afford a top school for DD unless I spend my life savings, which I’m not willing to do.
But I’m sad that she worked hard in high school and can’t apply to anything that will cost more than in state.
Her friends are applying to ivy schools because they qualify for financial aid and they can afford to go there if they get in.
DD could likely get into a top 20 school but wouldn’t get merit aid there.
Just a vent.

Her friends are not going to ivy schools, they are applying to ivy schools. Big difference. Write this post after decisions come in.

Your DD will be fine. It's hard to get into top schools even if you have the $$.

This! Anyone can apply. Very hard to get in. Her friends will realize this.

If it makes you feel any better, many MC/UMC families are in the exact same situation. Public flagships are filled with upper middle class kids who can’t afford $90k a year Private schools.

She will get a good education and have a blast! Emphasize the positives.

Most of the top 20 schools provide very generous financial aid for HHI 200k and less, and some aid for 200 to 250k.

If you make more than that, why haven't you saved enough?

Anonymous wrote:I can’t afford a top school for DD unless I spend my life savings, which I’m not willing to do.
But I’m sad that she worked hard in high school and can’t apply to anything that will cost more than in state.
Her friends are applying to ivy schools because they qualify for financial aid and they can afford to go there if they get in.
DD could likely get into a top 20 school but wouldn’t get merit aid there.
Just a vent.

Her friends are not going to ivy schools, they are applying to ivy schools. Big difference. Write this post after decisions come in.

Your DD will be fine. It's hard to get into top schools even if you have the $$.

Whatever

I was your DD: my family couldn't send me to an Ivy (in those days, they didn't have automatic aid for people below certain income levels) or a T20. I won a big scholarship to a state flagship and had the best possible college experience. Every cent I needed for multiple graduate degrees afterwards was paid for by scholarships and fellowships, and that state flagship was what gave me my start. Cheer on and pursue enthusiastically what opportunities DD can take advantage of within your family's own financial boundaries. It sounds like she will be able to do a _lot_. And in the long run neither one of you will have anything to be sorry about or apologize for.

I would do the NPC for all schools your kid might be interested in. You might be surprised. Plus there's heaps of aid and merit at tons of schools for bright students with the stats.

We are very middle class by DC standards. Both our kids go to top 20 universities. And its cheaper than State U. Like, a lot. You just need to get in.

get a admit first

Booo hooo

I loved my flagship college, was at the top of the class, felt that my professors respected me, and I'm glad I did it.

Things will be okay. There are way more top students now than when we were in college. They can't all fit in the Top 20 and many have good reasons to go other places.

Apply a tier lower than that to get merit or aid

Don’t know if this helps but Harvard is free if household income is less than $100,000, and at least tuition free if hhi is less than $200,000. Those are assuming normal range of assets (I don’t know details on what’s considered normal range)

Look at full tuition merit aid at Duke, Vanderbilt, WashU, and other T20 schools

I can’t afford a top school for DD unless I spend my life savings, which I’m not willing to do.
But I’m sad that she worked hard in high school and can’t apply to anything that will cost more than in state.
Her friends are applying to ivy schools because they qualify for financial aid and they can afford to go there if they get in.
DD could likely get into a top 20 school but wouldn’t get merit aid there.
Just a vent.