So many folks on this board make assumptions about other people’s income which is just wrong. They might live in a very expensive area and cannot move due to work. Many parents still have student loans or a high mortgage. Many may have hit a bump in the road ( medical issues, lost a business). So while you might live in a state where 150K house are the norm and so are 40K salaries, someone else might live in an area where 900K houses are the norm and so are 200K salaries ( in the end after expenses both families might have the same disposable income). For many, the cost of education is astronomical. Don’t make the assumption that someone who makes a lot of money has a lot of money to spare and don’t make the assumption that someone who earns a little and lives in a lower cost state doesn’t have money saved. Families have to figure out college costs long before the kids are in high school or deal with the consequences.