<p>“Can someone please explain to me why Harvard is still even CHARGING for their education? With $23 billion, shouldn’t everyone get it for free? What are they doing with all that money?”</p>
<p>Because they aren’t a charity. The officers of the corporation have a duty to watch over the endowment and operations. While it could afford to do away with one year’s tuition, why should it turn away real money that is spent and needed elsewhere? Do you feel they aren’t generous for needy people?<br>
Because of the generosity of alums and good mgt practices, H is one of the most generous with financial aid extant. Why shouldn’t they ask for full pay from a family with $2M in the bank?</p>
<p>Only a fixed percentage is used each year for budgeting purposes. The endowment is meant to go on for perpetuity – you don’t eat the seed grain – especially in light of the -25% drop in its value recently.</p>