<p>I see your point. Take a family earning $250,000 a year, less approximately 40% in taxes, leaving take home income of $150,000. $55k/year is 37% of that.</p>
<p>Is it worth it for your family? I can’t say. As you noted, no one walks in anyone else’s shoes.</p>
<p>While our family has received some FA, our expected contribution has been much greater than some cheaper alternatives would have been. Still, we have no regrets.</p>
<p>Our family is utilizing Princeton’s parent loan program, which offers a fixed or variable interest rate for a 14 year term. We opted for the variable rate, and are currently paying about 1.5%.</p>
<p>[Princeton</a> Parent Loan Program | PRINCETON UNIVERSITY - Office of Finance and Treasury](<a href=“http://finance.princeton.edu/how-to/tuition-student-billing-l/loan-options/princeton-parent-loan-pro/]Princeton”>http://finance.princeton.edu/how-to/tuition-student-billing-l/loan-options/princeton-parent-loan-pro/)</p>
<p>Congratulations to your kid, and to you for your parenting. And thank you for your service.</p>
<p>Best of luck with your decisions.</p>