<p>He can his sophomore year, but definitely not his freshman year.</p>
<p>Taking on educational debt is a real problem right now. It is not going to doom our economy like the sub prime mortgage crisis, but American students are taking out so much money in loans it is ridiculous. I really do not think that any eighteen year old knows what 400 - 500 dollars a month for 15 years really feels like. It does not seem like a lot at the time, but it can be huge once you are paying for a car, true living expenses and possibly a home. Throw in a marriage and a child, and unless it is a law, medical or doctorate degree you really are not guaranteed a high salary to pay for all of these things.</p>
<p>What are your other alternatives?</p>
<p>State universities: They almost always offer honors programs, semesters abroad, semesters in DC/NYC and other enlightening and enriching programs. College is what you make of it, and maybe some kids need to hear that their parents cannot afford U Penn or NYU.
Junior/Community College starts: This does no preclude you from a top notch university! Some of the people I went to CC with went to NYU, Syracuse, U Florida; as well as any SUNY school you would like which all have honors and abroad programs.
Starting the financial talks earlier: Maybe kids need to start hearing about financial planning earlier. When I was in 9th grade, I more than understood the financial situation of my family. Make it clear that ivies and top out of state institutions are attainable through academic scholarships and community involvement only.
And if someones intention is a professional degree (law, medicine, or any masters) or if the intended major is not overly specific (psych, American studies, philosophy) then why would a school with a lower price tag not be beneficial? Kicking ass at a state school is more than sufficient for admittance into a great graduate school.</p>