<p>As a parent of first gen college students- I had to learn as I went along- however- with the help of the internets ( thanks Al Gore! 
) and people on Usenet, I was able to help my oldest attend a private LAC.</p>
<p>When thinking about education past high school there are a few facts to keep in mind. </p>
<p>Students are not considered independent unless :
24 years old- a military veteran- a ward of the state until 18- married- have a dependent.( also if they are working on post BA education)</p>
<p>Students are considered residents of the state their parents primary residence is in/ where they graduated from high school. In most cases-( some exceptions for military dependents.)</p>
<p>All students are ( citizens or eligible non- citizens) eligible after filing FAFSA for a Stafford loan.
[FAFSA</a> - Free Application for Federal Student Aid](<a href=“http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/faq003.htm]FAFSA”>http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/faq003.htm)</p>
<p>* note: the F in FAFSA means free, you don’t have to pay to file it & shouldn’t pay to have someone help you with it. There is help available if you need it, ask at your local library*</p>
<p>There * lots * of ways to cut costs. I have found that local scholarships are an efficient place to start. Try your library for a local listing.
Realize that schools will likely reduce your aid by the amount of the scholarship, but that this reduction generally comes from the loans in your aid package, so you still come out ahead.</p>
<p>Unless specified in a divorce decree, it is not the parents responsibility to fund post high school education for their children.
However- at the same time- students are considered dependent except for cases noted above & parents income ( & assets if using PROFILE), will be taken into account when determining need.</p>
<p>Some colleges do use PROFILE- through CollegeBoard, to determine financial need. [PROFILE schools](<a href=“https://profileonline.collegeboard.com/PXRemotePartInstitutionServlet/PXRemotePartInstitutionServlet.srv”>https://profileonline.collegeboard.com/PXRemotePartInstitutionServlet/PXRemotePartInstitutionServlet.srv</a>)
PROFILE isn’t free-and for most students applying to colleges is not free, but if need is an issue- you are better off being able to compare aid packages.</p>
<p>Which brings up an important point- if aid is necessary- do not apply ED.
By applying Early Decision, you are telling the college- you will attend if admitted. Even if the school pledges to meet 100% of need as some schools do, your need may be met by ANY combination of loans/grants/workstudy.
You will not be able to compare aid packages- you would be surprised at how much some schools vary for same student.</p>
<p>Many schools do not meet 100% of need.
There is a gap between need and the costs of the school.
Public schools do not generally meet need for students.
Out of state public schools, may not meet any need other than eligibility for Stafford loans/Pell grants.
( However- if a very attractive student to the school- the OOS may offer merit aid to entice them to attend- don’t want to discourage those who are really interested in an OOS)</p>
<p>The education system is not Fair.
Accept it.
It isn’t fair that some students attend high schools with a graduation rate of 36%, where the teacher turnover is 68% and they have books patched together with cellophane tape.</p>
<p>It isn’t fair that some schools have [interactive</a> whiteboards into the classroom.](<a href=“http://media.www.osusentinel.com/media/storage/paper1151/news/2008/01/23/Commentary/A.Smart.Decision.Implementing.Interactive.Whiteboards.Into.The.Classroom-3164850.shtml]interactive”>http://media.www.osusentinel.com/media/storage/paper1151/news/2008/01/23/Commentary/A.Smart.Decision.Implementing.Interactive.Whiteboards.Into.The.Classroom-3164850.shtml)/ have a PTA who subsidizes teacher salaries and supplies and where they have 20 AP classes to choose from.</p>
<p>Students don’t start from the same starting line.</p>
<p>This said- Colleges may take into account the educational background of student. A student who manages to excel despite poor learning conditions, will be viewed as someone who makes the most of their opportunities, and may be admitted to a very selective school over someone with higher grades, but from a background with greater resources.</p>
<p>Unfortunately- students from an impoverished background, are least likely to be able to break out of it. Generally, only the most selective schools offer to meet 100% of need.</p>
<p>For a student who does manage to get accepted to one of these schools, it is usually assumed that students will make a contribution of summer earnings of $2,000- $3,000. This is added to EFC- whether or not the student actually earns that much- an exception may be made for very low income students, whose earnings may be needed to help their family.</p>
<p>For students who are not in the position of having a family that is willing to pay the EFC & who have been admitted to a school that meets 100% of need- there are still choices for higher ed that can be affordable.</p>
<p>Taking AP tests in high school and attending a college, which allows you to use those scores for graduation credit.</p>
<p>Attending a community college- either in high school or after- to accrue 4 yr transferable credits at a lower price.</p>
<p>Earning merit aid, from the college or from outside to apply to costs.</p>
<p>Having an employer who will make a contribution towards your education. You would be surprised at what companies do this.</p>
<p>Community service through an organization like Americorps which will earn credit for tuition/loans
[AmeriCorps[/url</a>]</p>
<p>It’s reasonable for a student to have $20,000 or so in loans upon receiving their degree.
It’s reasonable to assume they will work during the school year, either work study or other job ( although if you qualify for workstudy take it- it will be subtracted from your income for aid purposes)- at least earning enough for books & possibly their personal expenses as well.
It is reasonable to assume they will also work during the summer, to earn money for their education.</p>
<p>It’s not reasonable IMO to take out $20,000 in loans * per year* for college.
It’s not reasonable to expect their family to take on excessive debt to pay for an expensive school.
It’s not reasonable to expect schools to totally fund costs of education without an appropriate contribution from family/student</p>
<p>There are ways to do this.
No- it won’t necessarily be perfect.
But we do have options & there are lots of people that are willing to help students figure a way.</p>
<p>[url=<a href=“http://www.collegeconfidential.com/financial_aid/]Financial”>http://www.collegeconfidential.com/financial_aid/]Financial</a> Aid - Paying for College](<a href=“http://www.americorps.gov/for_individuals/benefits/benefits_ed_award_repayment.asp]AmeriCorps[/url”>http://www.americorps.gov/for_individuals/benefits/benefits_ed_award_repayment.asp)</p>
<p>[FinAid</a>! Financial Aid, College Scholarships and Student Loans](<a href=“http://www.finaid.org/]FinAid”>http://www.finaid.org/)</p>
<p>I am not an expert- I am just a parent on a tight budget.
:)</p>