I’m having trouble feeling badly for a family with a calculated full pay of $80,000 or so. This means their income is north of $250,000 a year…and/or huge assets.
Where is all that income going? And if it really is stretching them…then find a less costly school.
Sure, some families have other financial obligations they set as priorities. But if you have a $250,000 a year income or more…there IS an affordable college for your kid…and one where you can still afford braces, and your kid doesn’t have to earn $20,000 to cover what the family can’t or won’t pay.
Choices choices.