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<p>While it’s true that research funding is often given to students without regard to financial need, this is not the case with some other summer programs. Popular options like Princeton in Beijing, which has a price tag of $5,000 plus airfare, can be extremely expensive for a student whose family income is just above the cutoff for aid. I’m sorry to say that most of what fauve said rings true – it’s no fun to be on the kink in the price discrimination curve. On the other hand, wait until it comes time to pay sophomore dues and social fees for your eating club. You might think twice before wanting to switch places with your friends on financial aid.</p>
<p>To answer the original question, don’t worry about it. Some students on financial aid didn’t grow up knowing many people with incomes as high as your family’s. They assume you must be filthy rich, causing them to react in the way you described. After they get to Princeton and realize that half of their classmates come from families with this level of income and they see that their friends aren’t exactly rolling in dough, they’ll tone it down. If you want to play it safe, though, just don’t bring it up around people that you aren’t close friends with. It’s not the type of thing that comes up in casual conversation.</p>