<p>From aglages — rmac: Hopefully the handout that you are receiving from Pitt will be enough for your son to attend. I would hate to see PA budget issues force you to pay for an education in Maryland. Good luck.</p>
<p>First, thanks for the good luck. Second, the “handout” we received from Pitt competed against the “handouts” from two other colleges in the marketplace. Because of this incentive, over the next four years we’ll be spending all kinds of money in PA, including mucho sales tax on items bought there instead of other states (and on many Penguin games while visiting!). In other words, the “handout” will pay for itself many times over (can we call it an investment now?). Third, while others may be forced to make the hard choices by budget issues, we’re in it for the long haul but thanks for your concern. </p>
<p>However, I’m still very concerned about the ability of Pennsylvanians to afford quality education. I grew up in a PA steel town where many people found it hard, even in good times, to finance a quality education. The Gov is not helping them or the state IMHO. Fiscal conservatism makes little sense when undercutting infrastructure and, in a sense, higher education is infrastructure for future growth, jobs, tax base, etc.</p>