<p>Seriously though, if parents have an actual need and qualify for significant need based aid, then the child may be able to figure out how to cover the EFC on their own via loans and working. I’m sure it is NOT easy for the child, but perhaps it is doable. And it is also understandable why parents in that circumstance may not be able to help or help much.</p>
<p>But, it is impossible for a child, who comes from a background where the parents are earning enough income to where the EFC is expected to be full tuition or close to it, to cover that cost his or herself. It’s a ridiculous expectation. In this case, parents really ought to plan on helping . . .and they are capable of doing so. It may not be easy to do so, but it is generally an option unless some extreme medical emergency has come up or the parent has lost their job. Which argues even more for advanced planning - - in which case the college money would be safely set aside somewhere and would be available for when the child needs it.</p>
<p>“college taught” parents have the brain of birds." - post 25</p>
<p>Why do you say that? Because parents have a recognition that they brought their children into the world and in many cases want to give them the best start possible - - which generally includes a college education (not necessarily Ivy League, but a good education)? Because parents have an awareness that there are no good jobs for 18 year olds right now given the horrendous state of the job market? Because independence in the human animal is definitely a staged process and generally parents gradually withdraw their support in hopes that their child will be “free standing” around the age of 21 or so - - in a world that is a LOT more challenging and oriented toward knowledge workers than it has ever been in the past? </p>
<p>I get that your parents didn’t see it this way . . .and I can understand how fostering such independence probably has made you a very strong person in many ways. I admire that you seem to have embraced the opportunity to put yourself through school no matter how challenging. I suspect you got at least some need based aid from the college to help you out . . .but not everyone does.</p>