My daughter who is currently in her third year has lots of friends who don’t seem to have two pennies to rub together. However, they are all there on free tuition for NMH winners (this does not exist anymore as it is now only $30,000 a year for NMH). Most tell her they would not have been able to attend without that merit money and try to live as cheaply as possible on campus - cheapest dorms, no meal plans, coupons for local eateries, etc. These kids have no money for vacations, or any luxuries, but they seem to fit in fine at Northeastern and are all doing very well.