“I find it unfortunate that schools claim to meet “100% of demonstrated need” but what they really mean is that they will meet a number generated by a faulty formula.”
I agree. This has bothered me for years. I happen to know quite a few farmers and frequently talk to small business owners. None of them can afford the cost of private schools in the US. A lot of them have kids who are very strong students.
Fortunately there are a lot of very good universities. In my experience students who are strong enough to get into Northwestern or equivalent schools can also do very, very well at other more affordable very good universities.