Anonymous wrote:Harvard is totally affordable for the family described.
In that scenario, Harvard will provide a great deal of financial aid. Use Harvard's net price calculator. Given the description provided for a family of 3 with 1 student, they could get up to $43k in financial aid and the family contribution would be about $20k.
Harvard does not include home equity or 401k/retirement funds in its aid calculation nor does it include loans. The aid package would differ significantly if there are lots of other assets. If the family has $100k set aside for college, that would be plenty to pay for Harvard (or most of the other Ivies).
Goodness, you just described my family minus a few thousand in saved college funds!
Hey, Larletta, fill out that Harvard application! I've changed my mind!