<p>$50k skin in the game is not an unreasonable goal. Stafford loans get her to $27k (and are a better deal than private loans), which leaves $23k to be earned over four years. That comes out $5750 in earnings per year – divided by a $10/hr. pay rate, is 575 hours of work per year, whether that happens over the summer or during the school year. </p>
<p>VERY do-able on her part.</p>
<p>S1’s skin in the game will be ~$20 k next year – $10k merit, $4500 Stafford, $3200 personal expenses per his school’s budget, plus the school’s summer earnings expectation of $1950. (This year, with some one-time outside merit awards, his share was close to $28k.) This has enabled us to contribute our piece without having to borrow, at least until S2 heads off to school. He knows he is lucky that he got to make his choice without financial pressure, but also knows that it would not be happening without his willing buy-in as to his share of the costs.</p>