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<p>Still the combination of Pell grants (at most about $22,000 over four years) and Stafford loans (at most $31,000 over four years) covers only a small portion ($53,000, or 22%) of the $240,000 list price at the most expensive colleges. It certainly seems like there is a lot more than just the government subsidies (Pell grants) and government loans (Stafford loans) that enables the colleges to keep raising their list prices. Even if these government programs disappeared and the colleges lowered their list prices by that amount (not a likely scenario!), $187,000 would still be a lot of money.</p>
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<p>Yes, the “middle class” that won’t get financial aid anywhere… how do the other 95% of the people live (and afford to send their kids to college)?</p>