<p>Hey- I totally get where you are coming from. My husband was military, also we have 3 kids all spaced apart. We are very conservative, cars have over $170K, etc etc. I had hand-me down furniture or stuff from my husband when he was a bachlor…and we have been married almost 25yrs! Bought out first sofa just a few yrs ago!! </p>
<p>Last year, we had one in college and when we got back how much we were required to pay for 2nd son, the figures were crazy. 2nd son got into elite school and tuition for us was like $50k. Typically it is $55K or so. So the school (where most people get a lot of assistance and pay $38K average or so -per their website), we had to pay $50K plus the other tuition for out son $38K or so. That is 88K a year! We would not be able to pay all our bills and unfortunalty live in an expensive part of the USA. So yeah, the system does not work for people like us and I still am angry and have night mares. Both my kids got into great schools. they both ended up at state schools and as it was, even with less tuition, we had to take from savings and get loans. . First son will be graduating. He said he was so happy where he went. He had the option to take out a school loan if he wanted to go to the more elite school. He is an engineer and will get good $ once he gets a job. Second son, is happy where he is at. I even offered him to transfer to a more elite but he said no. He wanted to go to Cornell. The thing both did are internships to set them apart. Unilke you, I didnt offer the, $150K cause I just dont have it. We are mid-50 and yet one more to go to college in 3 yrs. We are far from retiring. Ive been talking to the youngest about ROTC since she is interested in medical.</p>
<p>But the system is flawed. It does not work for people like us. And one scarry part is all the people taking out loans…what is the future of America? Some of them can’t pay them back or get jobs. gee- hope my boys dont marry a girl with a sense-less degree and high loans and be stuck with debt that way…</p>
<p>good luck in your decision.</p>