<p>I agree that no one is “entitled” to go to an elite private college, and that “too poor for college” shouldn’t be applied in the context of our nation’s most expensive colleges. However, for those in the donut hole, it is frustrating that private colleges are becoming increasingly the domain of only the rich or the poor.</p>
<p>I am tired of the assumptions by many posters that someone in the donut hole cannot afford to pay for a private college because they have lived “high on the hog.” I know several families in the donut hole who drive old cars, take few and modest vacations, don’t live in mansions, and didn’t send their kids to private school. The FAFSA looks at income for 1 year. Quite possibly, the family’s higher income is recent, or perhaps they’re supporting an elderly parent, paying off their own student loans or prior debt from medical bills, live in a high cost area, recently went through a divorce, scrimping and saving to fund a 401k (unmatched by employer) because that will be their only source of retirement income, trying to save for college for siblings, putting money away to care for a special needs child after they’ve departed, or maybe there is a non-contributing parent or step-parent in the mix, or an ex that hasn’t paid child support in years. Everyone’s situation is different. Some people on here are so quick to judge and label others. Just like poor people aren’t all lazy, people who don’t qualify for FA, but can’t fork over 60k a year in after tax income, aren’t all financially irresponsible. </p>