<p>Cello -- I'm a little late getting back into the game, but I just want to clarify something from yesterday.</p>
<p>I said ..
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"it's the taxes that we so-called wealthy people pay that fund those government-sponsored grants. I for one don't begrudge my tax dollars going to fund education for low income students, and quite frankly get a little ticked off when I hear proponents of need-based aid complaining about merit aid programs."
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<p>Celloguy said:
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I think, though, that you misunderstand my point. The federal government isn't offering merit aid. The wannabe colleges are. Government grants don't begin to cover tuition at top-tier colleges. If high-achieving low-income kids are going to attend good schools, the colleges' need-based aid needs to approach 100%, which is the case at top-tier schools. It's the less prestigious colleges that are offering merit aid as a bribe. That's the issue I'm raising.
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<p>Celloguy -- I didn't misunderstand your point ... and no where did I say (or think) that the government is offering merit aid.</p>
<p>I'm from the camp that believes private institutions should be permitted to spend their money however they wish. I think we need to give them a little bit of credit for making decisions designed to ensure that the private money continues to flow in. Otherwise, how will they continue to fund the need-based aid? If it takes merit dollars to maximize revenue, so be it.</p>