<p>Sueinphilly, you do have the right to complain how single parents are treated by the financial aid process, as does Jade to complain how her predicament has put her in a tough spot. It is unfair. And those injustices need to be aired. I have sent out letters on the inconsistencies and outright unfairness that occur a lot in the FAFSA situation. To me it is an absolutely ridiculous situation that a famiy making $20k and an EFC of zero is guaranteed nothing but a Pell of less than $5K if the kid goes full time and a bunch of loans, that such familes and kid are going to have a terrible time repaying. Not a lot of options there. We pay more to send kids to jail. </p>
<p>Where I have a problem with Jade, in addition to the mean tone of her posts, is that she seems to feel that the those kids who come from lower income families who are truly getting far, far less in opportunities than she has, are getting a windfall in financial aid. Yes, there are those who do hit the financial aid jackpot, but it is few and far between and need is not the only thing in the equation to get the money. To dump on a group that is far, far less fortunate is ludicrous. Especially when a family can, if it pleases, to divest itself of income and assets to take the chances to get the “privileges” of the lower income folk. Not a choice most will take. There is too little out there for everybody. No need to try to take from those less fortunate. </p>
<p>The whole concept of merit aid is one that comes under a lot of attack because that is where many better off kids make out. Alot of unfairness there. A kid from a wealthy family can enjoy full merit money whereas with kids who are on aid most often have it offset so that they are going to get exactly what is considered needed. I know in my day, we were able to double dip and government aid was more generous. </p>
<p>But then when we look at other social programs where the needs are even more, it is tough to make college funding the top priority in ones campaigns. Both on a personal and political basis.</p>