<p>Ditto here. There is no doubt in my mind that we want our son to go to WPI and that WPI is his current first choice. However, in these economic times it might be better to focus on “value” education for undergrad and save the money for grad school. </p>
<p>It’s sad when you’ve done everything you were told to do over the years and scrimped and saved to reach a financial goal only to have it ripped away from you during the past year. Logically we could “afford” the first year or 2 at WPI with what we’ve been offered and what is left of 529’s and other accounts, but after that the family resources are drained and I’m not sure where the money would come from. Maybe start at a state school and try to transfer later when things are more stable and you’ve saved a bit more?.. Get the basics at a cheaper school… That’s what I’m thinking. </p>
<p>Though my son is NOT happy about this option, but I just can’t see swimming in debt to make this happen. I’m also tainted at this point because I know of someone who just got some huge grants (not loans) for college. I know the student and they aren’t “stellar” and they don’t seem like they are at all worse off than us financially, but somehow they managed to “work the system” in their favor. Although they could end up as one of the next fraud headlines on the news, so I’m just glad we keep things honest in this house.</p>
<p>Keep us posted on your decision processes. It sounds like we’re all in the same boat…</p>