<p>UVa is great. Son will graduate in May. However, we have not received a dime from UVa since he has been there. 1480, EC's etc, but instate in 2005 and did ED. He probably could have gone to lower tier like Pitt (God forbid-it's a joke-I have masters'
from there) -a school with great aid but he/we did not want to get into any of that (looking for merit aid)because he really wanted to go to UVa and he/ we also did not want to get into wondering what he could get elsewhere.. Would not trade UVa for anything in the world, but they need to respond more to the middle class. We have always only been offered unsubsidized Stafford for my son ,(which is nothing but loans when he graduates.) We are not wealthy-95-100,000 for family of 4(younger son graduates from high school in June). My concern is why should he have to come out of UVa with about 15,000 unsubsidized Stafford loan debt just becaue his parents have about 100.000 gross income and others do not? Why does he not come out of UVa on an even level? Why should my son have to repay loans that others do not have to? We are a classic family with too much to get aid but still do not feel rich by any means.</p>
<p>
The JBHE has a list of Pell Grant percentages at major public universities. The average seems to be 15-23%.</p>
<p>well UVA does have a reputation for having lots of preppy type students</p>
<p>Wow - wealth is so relative. Anyone whose kids graduate with only $15K in debt and earn $100K per year need to pay that debt off themselves and not leave it to their kids who, assuming they can find a job, will be earning a fraction of that.</p>
<p>UVa has also made great strides in diversity which is great . The programs for lower income students are wonderful. I am a public school parent in a diverse school system from the day one but would just like to see more help in the middle. The preppy thing exists ( and my kid probably is a little preppy looking if I admit it) but please do not stereotype all UVa kids as so wealthy(preppy) that they cannot use help with college expenses.</p>
<p>Mattsmom.We cross posted. My son does not make 100,000. Very happy for you if your child(children) were able to get their educations paid for without debt.</p>
<p>
[quote]
Anyone whose kids graduate with only $15K in debt and earn $100K per year need to pay that debt off themselves and not leave it to their kids
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Interesting concept...our KIDS only have $15K in student loan debt...but WE also have some loan debt related to their schooling. Sorry...but before we pay THEIR loans off, we will be paying OUR loans off. We'll help them if we can...but their educations weren't free for us parents either.</p>
<p>Thank you Thumper , We have paid many thousands out of pocket for our son's education. He appreciates it to an extent but went kicking and screaming initially about having to take on debt(he gets it now). We have concerns about 2 mothers in their<br>
80's we still feel some responsibility for as well as his younger brother. It is not as easy as it seems for the average family.</p>
<p>Yes, I have a son who has gotten a full ride from a great school. Thank you Questbridge (and great school). </p>
<p>However, I also have a daughter who has ADD, and in contrast to her brother's great academic record, has not a prayer of a scholarship from any school. If we had a $100K income and she graduated with only $15K in debt, we'd be THRILLED to pay it for her.</p>
<p>I liked the public school list, lots of different schools,
some fairly easy to get into and mostly affordable at
least instate. I only wish Pa had one darn school that
could make that list. As for the private school list, way
too selective to be of much use. What's the use of a
value if 99% of students can't access it.</p>
<p>Re: Best value private colleges-- the list & its concept are glib. For full boat payers, $50K is painful ($80K after tax dollars!) </p>
<p>The kids who get in to the top tier privates & the oh-so elusive UVAs. etc are academic ROCK stars! Blessed with intelligence & self discipline of olympians... envy, envy</p>
<p>I think an article that might be about as helpful:
10 Best Career Professions for High School Seniors:
1) Rock Star 2) Professional Baseball Player 3) Debutante with a flair for indecency 4) Ponsie Peddler 5) MTV Rapper ... etc, etc...</p>
<p>Mattsmom, The grass is always greener.</p>
<p>Sevmom, as I said, wealth is relative.</p>
<p>Mattsmom,Have you asked your daughter if she would be "thrilled" to be $15,000 in debt?</p>
<p>^^ I think actually, she would be...she's looking at a lot more than that.</p>
<p>She wants biomedical photography...the only program in the country is at RIT...it's a "relatively" inexpensive private that runs about $40K</p>
<p>Gadad: Your daughters are lucky. My kid who pays full freight, works on campus watches kids like yours on financial aid - getting a ton of stuff that she can't afford.</p>
<p>15 grand in debt is a super deal these days. I bet the average
private school student is 25 grand or more in debt and the
family probably has 10 to 15 in plus loans.</p>
<p>My point. A private school kid/parent is making choices. Obviously you are willing or able to take on more debt for various reasons-prestige,curriculum,location,legacy,etc.</p>
<p>Unfortunately, those of us who diligently began saving as soon as the kids were born, and mistakenly put those savings in the kids' names before it was pointed out that savings should be in the parents' names don't qualify for finaid even if a spouse has been laid off and unemployed for two of the four years</p>
<p>Why should the savings be put in the parent's names? Just curious. I think our savings are in our kid's names.</p>
<p>Sevmom - are you talking to me? I'm not taking on any debt though. I doubt I'd be approved in this economic climate and I don't imagine my daughter will be either. </p>
<p>My point. Low income kids do not have it made in the college arena. Daughter will most likely get a job after high school. Son however will go far. My son is in the VAST minority of low income kids. Kids who graduate with only $15K in debt who have "middle class" parents who earn $100K are very, very lucky indeed. They'll still only make very little when they graduate though and will still have a very rough time with even "only" $15K in debt.</p>