<p>I wonder if that increase was communicated at the time the kids were applying. I know some friends who did get hit with a pretty big out of state premium at College of Charleston a few years ago. They did not just stick it to the new kids, but to those in school which was not appreciated. Hard go somewhere else when you find out the new tuition schedule at the beginning of your 2nd semester junior year. </p>
<p>I just came back from a college tour trip with my high school junior. You would think that financial aid is no big deal the way some of the school presented the subject and answered the questions.</p>
<p>Right now, I am trying to help a friends whose daughter was not only greatly gapped in financial aid but the package given is stuffed with loans and work study. That cuts out working to make up some of that gap since that time is already scheduled, and we’re talking about loans that are getting to the exhorbitant levels, especially for a music major. The financial aid office has told my friend that this is a typical package at that school and what many families do. Since the mom is not from this country, she doesn’t know how she should be looking at this. As an investment, as the fin aid officer is saying, or a true liability which is what she is thinking.</p>