This is an eye-opening article, and accompanying anecdotes from fellow posters, for posters who have never had to live without a basic need being met. I know I always assumed financial aid would cover whatever a student could need, in terms of school books and full meal plans, and that the biggest challenge for a poor student would be not being able to do to the “extra” things their classmates take for granted— dinner out at a fancy local restaurant, a day of skiing, a spring break trip.
I never realized that financial aid would be insufficient at ‘meets full need’ elite schools, nor that financial aid students could opt out of meal plans or “choose” to send some of their aid money (campus job, etc.) home to help their families. So sad in a country where so many people have so much money and comfort.
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