Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For useful results, you also need to know how many applied, not just where they are headed. Lots of high-achieving MCPS students prioritize UMD because it’s such a great financial deal.

Exactly, usually about a third of the class ends at Ivies, but many who would or were admitted just can't afford it. There are a lot of doughnut-holed families. People even making decent money can't usually shell out half their take home pay fro college.

My Blair kid (4.8 WGPA, 1600 SAT) didn't apply to elite schools because we couldn't afford them.

That's a very unusual situation because many elite schools give steep discounts even to families earning $200k/yr.

I’m not the PP you are responding to but we are in the same situation. Our income is just below $200k but what you are missing here is assets. They only give you aid if you have “typical assets”. What they define as typical is not much. We don’t qualify for anything and yet our assets are largely for retirement though for various reasons not all in retirement accounts. Similar situation if you have a rental property - you are expected to sell it to pay for college even if it’s your entire retirement plan!

The. You do have a lot of resources……yes it’s fair to expect you to sell a rental or use savings.

I don’t have a rental and fully expected to use savings. I can’t use ALL my savings though and I don’t earn enough in this high cost of living area to pay out of my pay check. The amount that is considered “typical” savings when calculating that the free tuition promise is not transparent and seems to discount anyone with moderate savings. 95 percent of DCUM posters wouldn’t be eligible even with income under $200K.

How much did you pay for your home and what’s your mortgage and income. There is lower cost housing but you probably didn’t choose it.

I paid $220k for my home, so you have lost that argument.

So, why didn't you save more for college? If your income is $100K it makes sense why you didn't save but with that mortgage, $200K makes no sense you didn't save a few hundred per kid.

Oh jeez. We made way less than that until recently. Under $100k until the kids were in their teens. But why do you think we haven’t saved for college?!!!! We have about $350k for a junior and 8th grader. That’s an enormous amount! But it’s not enough for MIT or an Ivy for both of them.

It sounds like you’re not going to be happy until everyone in this thread spends every last cent and goes in to debt, preventing themselves from retiring until their 70s or 80s to send their kids to the most expensive schools available. No, most families can’t or won’t do that. It’s just not worth it. I have friends in big law earning millions a year, people who attended Ivies themselves deciding that it’s just not worth the money to spend nearly half a million per kid and then later fork out for graduate school. The more I discuss this with you, the more foolish i think you are for advocating that anyone should pay full freight.

You have plenty saved and can use cash flow so your post makes no sense. Sell the investment property. Don’t change your lifestyle when you increase income or pull from retirement. You have options if an ivy is importantly to you.

A parent who makes millions and limits their kids college choices is a lousy parent and selfish.

Your junior can work this summer and save too.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For useful results, you also need to know how many applied, not just where they are headed. Lots of high-achieving MCPS students prioritize UMD because it’s such a great financial deal.

Exactly, usually about a third of the class ends at Ivies, but many who would or were admitted just can't afford it. There are a lot of doughnut-holed families. People even making decent money can't usually shell out half their take home pay fro college.

My Blair kid (4.8 WGPA, 1600 SAT) didn't apply to elite schools because we couldn't afford them.

That's a very unusual situation because many elite schools give steep discounts even to families earning $200k/yr.

I’m not the PP you are responding to but we are in the same situation. Our income is just below $200k but what you are missing here is assets. They only give you aid if you have “typical assets”. What they define as typical is not much. We don’t qualify for anything and yet our assets are largely for retirement though for various reasons not all in retirement accounts. Similar situation if you have a rental property - you are expected to sell it to pay for college even if it’s your entire retirement plan!

The. You do have a lot of resources……yes it’s fair to expect you to sell a rental or use savings.

I don’t have a rental and fully expected to use savings. I can’t use ALL my savings though and I don’t earn enough in this high cost of living area to pay out of my pay check. The amount that is considered “typical” savings when calculating that the free tuition promise is not transparent and seems to discount anyone with moderate savings. 95 percent of DCUM posters wouldn’t be eligible even with income under $200K.

How much did you pay for your home and what’s your mortgage and income. There is lower cost housing but you probably didn’t choose it.

I paid $220k for my home, so you have lost that argument.

So, why didn't you save more for college? If your income is $100K it makes sense why you didn't save but with that mortgage, $200K makes no sense you didn't save a few hundred per kid.

Oh jeez. We made way less than that until recently. Under $100k until the kids were in their teens. But why do you think we haven’t saved for college?!!!! We have about $350k for a junior and 8th grader. That’s an enormous amount! But it’s not enough for MIT or an Ivy for both of them.

It sounds like you’re not going to be happy until everyone in this thread spends every last cent and goes in to debt, preventing themselves from retiring until their 70s or 80s to send their kids to the most expensive schools available. No, most families can’t or won’t do that. It’s just not worth it. I have friends in big law earning millions a year, people who attended Ivies themselves deciding that it’s just not worth the money to spend nearly half a million per kid and then later fork out for graduate school. The more I discuss this with you, the more foolish i think you are for advocating that anyone should pay full freight.

DP here. Not intend to criticize you, every family has their legitimate choices, but have you or child ever considered student loan? Biden waived a lot of the student loan, and honestly, it is very normal for college students to find a GA, TA or summer job/internship to pay off a portion of their costs. It's a good experience to teach them taking responsibilities as an adult.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For useful results, you also need to know how many applied, not just where they are headed. Lots of high-achieving MCPS students prioritize UMD because it’s such a great financial deal.

Exactly, usually about a third of the class ends at Ivies, but many who would or were admitted just can't afford it. There are a lot of doughnut-holed families. People even making decent money can't usually shell out half their take home pay fro college.

My Blair kid (4.8 WGPA, 1600 SAT) didn't apply to elite schools because we couldn't afford them.

That's a very unusual situation because many elite schools give steep discounts even to families earning $200k/yr.

I’m not the PP you are responding to but we are in the same situation. Our income is just below $200k but what you are missing here is assets. They only give you aid if you have “typical assets”. What they define as typical is not much. We don’t qualify for anything and yet our assets are largely for retirement though for various reasons not all in retirement accounts. Similar situation if you have a rental property - you are expected to sell it to pay for college even if it’s your entire retirement plan!

The. You do have a lot of resources……yes it’s fair to expect you to sell a rental or use savings.

I don’t have a rental and fully expected to use savings. I can’t use ALL my savings though and I don’t earn enough in this high cost of living area to pay out of my pay check. The amount that is considered “typical” savings when calculating that the free tuition promise is not transparent and seems to discount anyone with moderate savings. 95 percent of DCUM posters wouldn’t be eligible even with income under $200K.

How much did you pay for your home and what’s your mortgage and income. There is lower cost housing but you probably didn’t choose it.

I paid $220k for my home, so you have lost that argument.

So, why didn't you save more for college? If your income is $100K it makes sense why you didn't save but with that mortgage, $200K makes no sense you didn't save a few hundred per kid.

Oh jeez. We made way less than that until recently. Under $100k until the kids were in their teens. But why do you think we haven’t saved for college?!!!! We have about $350k for a junior and 8th grader. That’s an enormous amount! But it’s not enough for MIT or an Ivy for both of them.

It sounds like you’re not going to be happy until everyone in this thread spends every last cent and goes in to debt, preventing themselves from retiring until their 70s or 80s to send their kids to the most expensive schools available. No, most families can’t or won’t do that. It’s just not worth it. I have friends in big law earning millions a year, people who attended Ivies themselves deciding that it’s just not worth the money to spend nearly half a million per kid and then later fork out for graduate school. The more I discuss this with you, the more foolish i think you are for advocating that anyone should pay full freight.

DP here. Not intend to criticize you, every family has their legitimate choices, but have you or child ever considered student loan? Biden waived a lot of the student loan, and honestly, it is very normal for college students to find a GA, TA or summer job/internship to pay off a portion of their costs. It's a good experience to teach them taking responsibilities as an adult.

The maximum parent loan is now $5k a year per child. That’s not going to pay the difference between UMD and MIT!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For useful results, you also need to know how many applied, not just where they are headed. Lots of high-achieving MCPS students prioritize UMD because it’s such a great financial deal.

Exactly, usually about a third of the class ends at Ivies, but many who would or were admitted just can't afford it. There are a lot of doughnut-holed families. People even making decent money can't usually shell out half their take home pay fro college.

My Blair kid (4.8 WGPA, 1600 SAT) didn't apply to elite schools because we couldn't afford them.

That's a very unusual situation because many elite schools give steep discounts even to families earning $200k/yr.

I’m not the PP you are responding to but we are in the same situation. Our income is just below $200k but what you are missing here is assets. They only give you aid if you have “typical assets”. What they define as typical is not much. We don’t qualify for anything and yet our assets are largely for retirement though for various reasons not all in retirement accounts. Similar situation if you have a rental property - you are expected to sell it to pay for college even if it’s your entire retirement plan!

The. You do have a lot of resources……yes it’s fair to expect you to sell a rental or use savings.

I don’t have a rental and fully expected to use savings. I can’t use ALL my savings though and I don’t earn enough in this high cost of living area to pay out of my pay check. The amount that is considered “typical” savings when calculating that the free tuition promise is not transparent and seems to discount anyone with moderate savings. 95 percent of DCUM posters wouldn’t be eligible even with income under $200K.

How much did you pay for your home and what’s your mortgage and income. There is lower cost housing but you probably didn’t choose it.

I paid $220k for my home, so you have lost that argument.

So, why didn't you save more for college? If your income is $100K it makes sense why you didn't save but with that mortgage, $200K makes no sense you didn't save a few hundred per kid.

Oh jeez. We made way less than that until recently. Under $100k until the kids were in their teens. But why do you think we haven’t saved for college?!!!! We have about $350k for a junior and 8th grader. That’s an enormous amount! But it’s not enough for MIT or an Ivy for both of them.

It sounds like you’re not going to be happy until everyone in this thread spends every last cent and goes in to debt, preventing themselves from retiring until their 70s or 80s to send their kids to the most expensive schools available. No, most families can’t or won’t do that. It’s just not worth it. I have friends in big law earning millions a year, people who attended Ivies themselves deciding that it’s just not worth the money to spend nearly half a million per kid and then later fork out for graduate school. The more I discuss this with you, the more foolish i think you are for advocating that anyone should pay full freight.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For useful results, you also need to know how many applied, not just where they are headed. Lots of high-achieving MCPS students prioritize UMD because it’s such a great financial deal.

Exactly, usually about a third of the class ends at Ivies, but many who would or were admitted just can't afford it. There are a lot of doughnut-holed families. People even making decent money can't usually shell out half their take home pay fro college.

My Blair kid (4.8 WGPA, 1600 SAT) didn't apply to elite schools because we couldn't afford them.

That's a very unusual situation because many elite schools give steep discounts even to families earning $200k/yr.

I’m not the PP you are responding to but we are in the same situation. Our income is just below $200k but what you are missing here is assets. They only give you aid if you have “typical assets”. What they define as typical is not much. We don’t qualify for anything and yet our assets are largely for retirement though for various reasons not all in retirement accounts. Similar situation if you have a rental property - you are expected to sell it to pay for college even if it’s your entire retirement plan!

The. You do have a lot of resources……yes it’s fair to expect you to sell a rental or use savings.

I don’t have a rental and fully expected to use savings. I can’t use ALL my savings though and I don’t earn enough in this high cost of living area to pay out of my pay check. The amount that is considered “typical” savings when calculating that the free tuition promise is not transparent and seems to discount anyone with moderate savings. 95 percent of DCUM posters wouldn’t be eligible even with income under $200K.

How much did you pay for your home and what’s your mortgage and income. There is lower cost housing but you probably didn’t choose it.

I paid $220k for my home, so you have lost that argument.

So, why didn't you save more for college? If your income is $100K it makes sense why you didn't save but with that mortgage, $200K makes no sense you didn't save a few hundred per kid.

Oh jeez. We made way less than that until recently. Under $100k until the kids were in their teens. But why do you think we haven’t saved for college?!!!! We have about $350k for a junior and 8th grader. That’s an enormous amount! But it’s not enough for MIT or an Ivy for both of them.

It sounds like you’re not going to be happy until everyone in this thread spends every last cent and goes in to debt, preventing themselves from retiring until their 70s or 80s to send their kids to the most expensive schools available. No, most families can’t or won’t do that. It’s just not worth it. I have friends in big law earning millions a year, people who attended Ivies themselves deciding that it’s just not worth the money to spend nearly half a million per kid and then later fork out for graduate school. The more I discuss this with you, the more foolish i think you are for advocating that anyone should pay full freight.

DP here. Not intend to criticize you, every family has their legitimate choices, but have you or child ever considered student loan? Biden waived a lot of the student loan, and honestly, it is very normal for college students to find a GA, TA or summer job/internship to pay off a portion of their costs. It's a good experience to teach them taking responsibilities as an adult.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For useful results, you also need to know how many applied, not just where they are headed. Lots of high-achieving MCPS students prioritize UMD because it’s such a great financial deal.

Exactly, usually about a third of the class ends at Ivies, but many who would or were admitted just can't afford it. There are a lot of doughnut-holed families. People even making decent money can't usually shell out half their take home pay fro college.

My Blair kid (4.8 WGPA, 1600 SAT) didn't apply to elite schools because we couldn't afford them.

That's a very unusual situation because many elite schools give steep discounts even to families earning $200k/yr.

I’m not the PP you are responding to but we are in the same situation. Our income is just below $200k but what you are missing here is assets. They only give you aid if you have “typical assets”. What they define as typical is not much. We don’t qualify for anything and yet our assets are largely for retirement though for various reasons not all in retirement accounts. Similar situation if you have a rental property - you are expected to sell it to pay for college even if it’s your entire retirement plan!

The. You do have a lot of resources……yes it’s fair to expect you to sell a rental or use savings.

I don’t have a rental and fully expected to use savings. I can’t use ALL my savings though and I don’t earn enough in this high cost of living area to pay out of my pay check. The amount that is considered “typical” savings when calculating that the free tuition promise is not transparent and seems to discount anyone with moderate savings. 95 percent of DCUM posters wouldn’t be eligible even with income under $200K.

How much did you pay for your home and what’s your mortgage and income. There is lower cost housing but you probably didn’t choose it.

I paid $220k for my home, so you have lost that argument.

So, why didn't you save more for college? If your income is $100K it makes sense why you didn't save but with that mortgage, $200K makes no sense you didn't save a few hundred per kid.

Oh jeez. We made way less than that until recently. Under $100k until the kids were in their teens. But why do you think we haven’t saved for college?!!!! We have about $350k for a junior and 8th grader. That’s an enormous amount! But it’s not enough for MIT or an Ivy for both of them.

It sounds like you’re not going to be happy until everyone in this thread spends every last cent and goes in to debt, preventing themselves from retiring until their 70s or 80s to send their kids to the most expensive schools available. No, most families can’t or won’t do that. It’s just not worth it. I have friends in big law earning millions a year, people who attended Ivies themselves deciding that it’s just not worth the money to spend nearly half a million per kid and then later fork out for graduate school. The more I discuss this with you, the more foolish i think you are for advocating that anyone should pay full freight.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For useful results, you also need to know how many applied, not just where they are headed. Lots of high-achieving MCPS students prioritize UMD because it’s such a great financial deal.

Exactly, usually about a third of the class ends at Ivies, but many who would or were admitted just can't afford it. There are a lot of doughnut-holed families. People even making decent money can't usually shell out half their take home pay fro college.

My Blair kid (4.8 WGPA, 1600 SAT) didn't apply to elite schools because we couldn't afford them.

That's a very unusual situation because many elite schools give steep discounts even to families earning $200k/yr.

I’m not the PP you are responding to but we are in the same situation. Our income is just below $200k but what you are missing here is assets. They only give you aid if you have “typical assets”. What they define as typical is not much. We don’t qualify for anything and yet our assets are largely for retirement though for various reasons not all in retirement accounts. Similar situation if you have a rental property - you are expected to sell it to pay for college even if it’s your entire retirement plan!

The. You do have a lot of resources……yes it’s fair to expect you to sell a rental or use savings.

I don’t have a rental and fully expected to use savings. I can’t use ALL my savings though and I don’t earn enough in this high cost of living area to pay out of my pay check. The amount that is considered “typical” savings when calculating that the free tuition promise is not transparent and seems to discount anyone with moderate savings. 95 percent of DCUM posters wouldn’t be eligible even with income under $200K.

How much did you pay for your home and what’s your mortgage and income. There is lower cost housing but you probably didn’t choose it.

I paid $220k for my home, so you have lost that argument.

So, why didn't you save more for college? If your income is $100K it makes sense why you didn't save but with that mortgage, $200K makes no sense you didn't save a few hundred per kid.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For useful results, you also need to know how many applied, not just where they are headed. Lots of high-achieving MCPS students prioritize UMD because it’s such a great financial deal.

Exactly, usually about a third of the class ends at Ivies, but many who would or were admitted just can't afford it. There are a lot of doughnut-holed families. People even making decent money can't usually shell out half their take home pay fro college.

My Blair kid (4.8 WGPA, 1600 SAT) didn't apply to elite schools because we couldn't afford them.

That's a very unusual situation because many elite schools give steep discounts even to families earning $200k/yr.

I’m not the PP you are responding to but we are in the same situation. Our income is just below $200k but what you are missing here is assets. They only give you aid if you have “typical assets”. What they define as typical is not much. We don’t qualify for anything and yet our assets are largely for retirement though for various reasons not all in retirement accounts. Similar situation if you have a rental property - you are expected to sell it to pay for college even if it’s your entire retirement plan!

The. You do have a lot of resources……yes it’s fair to expect you to sell a rental or use savings.

I don’t have a rental and fully expected to use savings. I can’t use ALL my savings though and I don’t earn enough in this high cost of living area to pay out of my pay check. The amount that is considered “typical” savings when calculating that the free tuition promise is not transparent and seems to discount anyone with moderate savings. 95 percent of DCUM posters wouldn’t be eligible even with income under $200K.

How much did you pay for your home and what’s your mortgage and income. There is lower cost housing but you probably didn’t choose it.

I paid $220k for my home, so you have lost that argument.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Were results dismal compare it to past years because Ostrander isn't there ?

A lot of kids may choose affortable schools and UMD as its a great school. That doesn't mean results are dismal.

I have no idea if that list is accurate but it presumably reflects where students end up not where they were admitted. For example i know if at least one kid who was admitted to MIT and turned it down. (To go to UMD, FWIW)

Sure you do

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For useful results, you also need to know how many applied, not just where they are headed. Lots of high-achieving MCPS students prioritize UMD because it’s such a great financial deal.

Exactly, usually about a third of the class ends at Ivies, but many who would or were admitted just can't afford it. There are a lot of doughnut-holed families. People even making decent money can't usually shell out half their take home pay fro college.

My Blair kid (4.8 WGPA, 1600 SAT) didn't apply to elite schools because we couldn't afford them.

That's a very unusual situation because many elite schools give steep discounts even to families earning $200k/yr.

I’m not the PP you are responding to but we are in the same situation. Our income is just below $200k but what you are missing here is assets. They only give you aid if you have “typical assets”. What they define as typical is not much. We don’t qualify for anything and yet our assets are largely for retirement though for various reasons not all in retirement accounts. Similar situation if you have a rental property - you are expected to sell it to pay for college even if it’s your entire retirement plan!

The. You do have a lot of resources……yes it’s fair to expect you to sell a rental or use savings.

I don’t have a rental and fully expected to use savings. I can’t use ALL my savings though and I don’t earn enough in this high cost of living area to pay out of my pay check. The amount that is considered “typical” savings when calculating that the free tuition promise is not transparent and seems to discount anyone with moderate savings. 95 percent of DCUM posters wouldn’t be eligible even with income under $200K.

Attending top schools is a privilege and comes with a high price tag. Unfortunately the middle class families are in the worst situation since they look like having enough to pay but the reality contradicting that. No solution other then sharing the cost (maybe 1/2 - 1/2) with the child through loans. If it worth it depends on multiple factors (most of the time the answer is no).
I understand the frustration since we are in the same boat.

$200k income, two or more homes and large retirement savings is not middle class.

I don't think they ask how much in retirement money (401k, IRA) you have. I don't remember having that question in FAFSA (maybe there was one in CSS Profile).
Investment property does count for sure and if you bought one instead of contributing to 401k/IRA then you took a bad decision from college financial aid perspective.
2 investment homes and 200k income might be middle class if the home are low cost condos that are still to be paid. It is relative ...

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For useful results, you also need to know how many applied, not just where they are headed. Lots of high-achieving MCPS students prioritize UMD because it’s such a great financial deal.

Exactly, usually about a third of the class ends at Ivies, but many who would or were admitted just can't afford it. There are a lot of doughnut-holed families. People even making decent money can't usually shell out half their take home pay fro college.

My Blair kid (4.8 WGPA, 1600 SAT) didn't apply to elite schools because we couldn't afford them.

That's a very unusual situation because many elite schools give steep discounts even to families earning $200k/yr.

I’m not the PP you are responding to but we are in the same situation. Our income is just below $200k but what you are missing here is assets. They only give you aid if you have “typical assets”. What they define as typical is not much. We don’t qualify for anything and yet our assets are largely for retirement though for various reasons not all in retirement accounts. Similar situation if you have a rental property - you are expected to sell it to pay for college even if it’s your entire retirement plan!

The. You do have a lot of resources……yes it’s fair to expect you to sell a rental or use savings.

I don’t have a rental and fully expected to use savings. I can’t use ALL my savings though and I don’t earn enough in this high cost of living area to pay out of my pay check. The amount that is considered “typical” savings when calculating that the free tuition promise is not transparent and seems to discount anyone with moderate savings. 95 percent of DCUM posters wouldn’t be eligible even with income under $200K.

How much did you pay for your home and what’s your mortgage and income. There is lower cost housing but you probably didn’t choose it.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For useful results, you also need to know how many applied, not just where they are headed. Lots of high-achieving MCPS students prioritize UMD because it’s such a great financial deal.

Exactly, usually about a third of the class ends at Ivies, but many who would or were admitted just can't afford it. There are a lot of doughnut-holed families. People even making decent money can't usually shell out half their take home pay fro college.

My Blair kid (4.8 WGPA, 1600 SAT) didn't apply to elite schools because we couldn't afford them.

That's a very unusual situation because many elite schools give steep discounts even to families earning $200k/yr.

I’m not the PP you are responding to but we are in the same situation. Our income is just below $200k but what you are missing here is assets. They only give you aid if you have “typical assets”. What they define as typical is not much. We don’t qualify for anything and yet our assets are largely for retirement though for various reasons not all in retirement accounts. Similar situation if you have a rental property - you are expected to sell it to pay for college even if it’s your entire retirement plan!

The. You do have a lot of resources……yes it’s fair to expect you to sell a rental or use savings.

I don’t have a rental and fully expected to use savings. I can’t use ALL my savings though and I don’t earn enough in this high cost of living area to pay out of my pay check. The amount that is considered “typical” savings when calculating that the free tuition promise is not transparent and seems to discount anyone with moderate savings. 95 percent of DCUM posters wouldn’t be eligible even with income under $200K.

Attending top schools is a privilege and comes with a high price tag. Unfortunately the middle class families are in the worst situation since they look like having enough to pay but the reality contradicting that. No solution other then sharing the cost (maybe 1/2 - 1/2) with the child through loans. If it worth it depends on multiple factors (most of the time the answer is no).
I understand the frustration since we are in the same boat.

$200k income, two or more homes and large retirement savings is not middle class.

I don't think they ask how much in retirement money (401k, IRA) you have. I don't remember having that question in FAFSA (maybe there was one in CSS Profile).
Investment property does count for sure and if you bought one instead of contributing to 401k/IRA then you took a bad decision from college financial aid perspective.
2 investment homes and 200k income might be middle class if the home are low cost condos that are still to be paid. It is relative ...

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For useful results, you also need to know how many applied, not just where they are headed. Lots of high-achieving MCPS students prioritize UMD because it’s such a great financial deal.

Exactly, usually about a third of the class ends at Ivies, but many who would or were admitted just can't afford it. There are a lot of doughnut-holed families. People even making decent money can't usually shell out half their take home pay fro college.

My Blair kid (4.8 WGPA, 1600 SAT) didn't apply to elite schools because we couldn't afford them.

That's a very unusual situation because many elite schools give steep discounts even to families earning $200k/yr.

I’m not the PP you are responding to but we are in the same situation. Our income is just below $200k but what you are missing here is assets. They only give you aid if you have “typical assets”. What they define as typical is not much. We don’t qualify for anything and yet our assets are largely for retirement though for various reasons not all in retirement accounts. Similar situation if you have a rental property - you are expected to sell it to pay for college even if it’s your entire retirement plan!

The. You do have a lot of resources……yes it’s fair to expect you to sell a rental or use savings.

I don’t have a rental and fully expected to use savings. I can’t use ALL my savings though and I don’t earn enough in this high cost of living area to pay out of my pay check. The amount that is considered “typical” savings when calculating that the free tuition promise is not transparent and seems to discount anyone with moderate savings. 95 percent of DCUM posters wouldn’t be eligible even with income under $200K.

Attending top schools is a privilege and comes with a high price tag. Unfortunately the middle class families are in the worst situation since they look like having enough to pay but the reality contradicting that. No solution other then sharing the cost (maybe 1/2 - 1/2) with the child through loans. If it worth it depends on multiple factors (most of the time the answer is no).
I understand the frustration since we are in the same boat.

$200k income, two or more homes and large retirement savings is not middle class.

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Anonymous wrote:For useful results, you also need to know how many applied, not just where they are headed. Lots of high-achieving MCPS students prioritize UMD because it’s such a great financial deal.

Exactly, usually about a third of the class ends at Ivies, but many who would or were admitted just can't afford it. There are a lot of doughnut-holed families. People even making decent money can't usually shell out half their take home pay fro college.

My Blair kid (4.8 WGPA, 1600 SAT) didn't apply to elite schools because we couldn't afford them.

That's a very unusual situation because many elite schools give steep discounts even to families earning $200k/yr.

I’m not the PP you are responding to but we are in the same situation. Our income is just below $200k but what you are missing here is assets. They only give you aid if you have “typical assets”. What they define as typical is not much. We don’t qualify for anything and yet our assets are largely for retirement though for various reasons not all in retirement accounts. Similar situation if you have a rental property - you are expected to sell it to pay for college even if it’s your entire retirement plan!

The. You do have a lot of resources……yes it’s fair to expect you to sell a rental or use savings.

I don’t have a rental and fully expected to use savings. I can’t use ALL my savings though and I don’t earn enough in this high cost of living area to pay out of my pay check. The amount that is considered “typical” savings when calculating that the free tuition promise is not transparent and seems to discount anyone with moderate savings. 95 percent of DCUM posters wouldn’t be eligible even with income under $200K.