<p>It seems that most of us who decide to make a big sacrifice believe we made the right decision. I guess some cynics might believe we make that determination to justify our decisions. I don't have any such doubts. My W and I have taught at a number of colleges/universities and the differences between a higher ranked school and a mid ranked school can be very impressive. I suppose this would be hard to prove because so much depends on the individual student. I do believe that the sacrifice and difference is not always worth it. It depends on the kid. Our older, and smarter kid, went to a mid-ranked State U. She had minimal academic interests and was not looking for a challenge. Sometimes this does not seem fair. We are spending several times more money on the younger D. I am sure if the older D had been interested we would have spend more on her tuition.</p>
<p>Im not a parent but my parents: have a decent salary(enough to take full on) But both my parents came from familys originally that made close to half of what most of u make..so even tho they could afford full on they always told me and my sisters to look out for merit loans...and THEY always tell us: the Suny system is a great system of state universities i could pay 60k for ur entire undergrad education(my sister did suny Purchase for a year but changed to a art institute and my other sister did a little private school for girls and got a merit scholarship the AI was cheaper 29k i believe and it was 30k not 40k for the private girls school...since i had bad freshman yr grades and since of my adhd im looking into sunys)</p>
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<blockquote> <p>I understand that if I can only afford a modest monthly payment that I will have to settle for a small house in a less desireable neighborhood. I assume that the people living in the big houses on the hill are paying more each month for their mortgages, and I don't hear them complaining about it. In fact, my experience seems to be that most people who earn more also seem to be willing to pay more for the bigger houses in the better neighborhoods.<<</p> </blockquote>
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<p>Calmom, </p>
<p>Perhaps the frustration you are hearing results from the fact that paying for education is not like paying for homes in your example. In your example, you admit that if you can only afford a modest payment, you will purchase a modest house. Those who want the big house on the hill pay much more.
With education, often the person who can only affford a modest payment or no payment at all gets to attend the "the big house on the hill" while others who can afford a bit larger than "modest" still can't afford the "mansion". Perhaps, just perhaps, it's frustrating to them to pay more for less. </p>
<p>I don't think many of the "frustrated posters" really have a problem with the truly poverty stricken benefitting from such aid - those whose parents have worked hard and provided to the best of their abiity but due to lack of opportunity or unforeseen circumstances, illness/death/etc, were unable to accumulate savings. But, as you have mentioned, in many of your posts, it is often about choice. Choice to major in a field that doesn't pay as well as others. Choice to stay home and forego a salary. Choice to become a "starving writer". Choice to live where expenses are high.</p>