<p>*I also wonder if kids consider their parents contributions “free money” and only worry about their own bottom line. Compare the kid who’s parents contribute 120K and has 40K of loans at graduation vs. the kid who goes to an in-state school, no parental contribution, and graduates with 80K of loans. Just thinking out loud here. *</p>
<p>Well, if the parents aren’t contributing anything, then I doubt that second scenario could exist. A student can’t borrow that much without very cooperative parent co-signers who have high enough incomes to qualify for such big loans.</p>
<p>Yes, most kids probably do focus on “their debt” and think of their parents’ money as “free money” (like a scholarship).</p>