I think college is never exactly what you imagined as a high schooler. People make decisions all the time based on cost. Some families have more money than others and can send their kids anywhere they want to go, some need to pursue merit or need based aid, some families will contribute up to instate cost, some families can’t or won’t pay a dime . I really don’t see a problem with a full need kid , according to FAFSA, being expected to contribute a minimal amount to their educations. I think it’s always been typical for kids from less wealthy families to have to worry more about expenses, think twice about whether or not you really need that pizza when you already ate at the dining hall. This is nothing new. If anything, resources seem to have gotten better for poor or middle class kids even over the last decade or so. Lots of programs to pull more kids into college than yeas ago.