I specifically stated the difference was in expected contribution which takes into effect the decision whether to live at home or on/off campus. And with more folks on the other board checking in, the five figure or more difference seems to be pretty consistent,
We made the decision to go to USC based on the initial aid package and a conversation where we were told that if your financial numbers stay the same the package should remain similar. Our numbers got worse due to Covid, yet there is a nearly $20,000 difference what they expect from us as compared to the previous year. I guess USC wants to be a place where only the poorest and richest can attend and screw the working class.
As to the person who questioned my headline. Prevaricate is playing fast and loose with the truth. When you decimate financial aid numbers for thousands of students, you are doing the same thing as raising tuition higher for a significant number of people. .
As to the people who say deal with it or go elsewhere, perhaps the image some have of USC as an elitist group of arrogant folks is deserved. I guess there is nothing to criticize about leadership failures that have cost a half billion dollars and climbing to the school in just the time my child has attended.