Does TCNJ measure up with the NESCAC schools?

Parent Cafe
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<p>I AM saying that people should either do that or else be happy with the choices they have (merit aid, public schools, etc.). Spend your money as you see fit; just don't complain when you spend it on luxuries and then discover that expensive private schools won't give you a handout.</p>

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<p>garland, we are not exactly spendthrifts, but I guess you just handle a dollar better than we do, or perhaps we are just overinsured etc.! It all sounds great, but I know that in high cost of living areas the dollar just does not go as far, and 40,000+ is only affordable a small % of people.</p>

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<p>Good point about cold feet with GPA requirement, northeastmom. </p>

<p>Hanna, I'm coming across people who just don't see the value for the money in the top tier schools. Not a lot of complaining after blowing the wad on luxuries. Or looking for handouts. Some serious, practical decisions are being made. Maybe just different from your choices. I was raised by Depression-era parents. I can afford a Lexus, but I drive a Toyota because it's a better value for the money, IMHO. </p>

<p>Starter homes that we'd all agree are fixer-uppers around here are out of reach for most young couples, for example. I know some people feel they'd rather give some down payment assistance than spend $190,000 on an undergrad degree. They feel the ivy education is not $100,000 "better" than the education at Emory or Case Western or Bucknell. </p>

<p>I'm a few years away from these decisions. I just found it interesting that I saw a strong trend in my little neck of the woods.</p>

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<p>This is all interesting and no single right direction for people to take, but I would not think Bucknell for example is cheaper than a more highly ranked LAC, or that Emory is cheaper than Duke or Penn. Seems to me that tuition costs at private schools of this kind are not that different from each other though some room and board figures might be--so no major difference unless people are getting more generous merit or need based aid at the slightly lower-ranked private institutions? It is at public colleges and univesities that you would see noticeable savings--such as TCNJ versus Bucknell.</p>

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<p>mattmom: I was just using schools that give merit aid as examples. They are still sky high if you're paying full fare. Much more appealing if you chop the cost in half.</p>

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<p>I also see a lot of kids taking the merit aid at TCNJ, Rutgers, Rider, and St. Joe's in Philadelphia. These are top 5% of the class type students, presumably worthy of admissions at higher ranked colleges. It's easy to point fingers and say that people should have done a better job of saving money, but it's not always easy. I don't live in a wealthy community, none of these kids drive new cars or live in minimansions, but their familes still feel squeezed by their EFC and the family budget.</p>

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<p>stickershock, My child was one of those with cold feet. I have seen it first hand. When it came to deciding, part of his decision in going to a public U. was knowing that he would not have to leave his school if he lost a merit award b/c his gpa was a 2.9. It is quite scary for kids, since many have no idea about what college will be like, and what it will take to earn an A or B. My son is aware of the fact that there are a number of students that do lose their scholarships, and some parents ask their children to transfer out at that point.</p>

<p>Momoffour, Thank you for this comment-
"It's easy to point fingers and say that people should have done a better job of saving money, but it's not always easy."
People should not judge others. Some families have many situations, other than regular bills, that don't allow for savings. Through the years there may be family health issues, psychiatric treatment costs, loss of job for a period of time, ongoing tutoring needs for a child, elderly parent needs, and the list can go on. Every family is different, and has different financial needs that may not allow for savings.</p>

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<p>I don 't believe that there was any judgment of others in what I said. i was responding to the many assertions that you must have rich relatives or mortgage your future in excessive loans, or be filthy rich yourself, in order to afford full pay schools. And that isn't necessarily so. There are other possible paths for some people. That was all I said.</p>

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<p>Oh, absolutely. But those people aren't complaining about the lack of financial aid at Dartmouth -- they are happily taking the merit money or sending the kids to state flagships. No problem there. I'm talking about the people who complain that the Ivies are out of reach for the "middle class" (read: families with two kids making +$150k/year when the NJ median household income is under $60k) and say the need-based aid system is broken.</p>