<p>I go to a 50k+ a yr school, and people who make under 40/50k get 100% aid. They get a higher percentage of aid than middle class people. Yes, most people are middle to upper middle class at my school, but “poor people” get a lot more financial aid and scholarship opportunities than middle class people. My friends live on their own and would get to go to college for free. They just don’t want to go.</p>
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<p>I totally agree. Playing your card right on your application can make a big difference. Wish I had known that in high school.</p>
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<p>that’s the stupidest thing I’ve ever heard. What makes you think a smart kid from a state school wouldn’t be able to compete with a rich kid from Berkeley? The job market cares about the person’s worth in the field, not where he got his degree from. And without a college degree, you’re basically fighting for jobs with Illegal aliens. What marketable skill do you earn out of high school? NOTHING. You may have been around cars since you were 5 years old, but you can only reach so high without a college degree.</p>
<p>Berkeley is a state school isn’t it?</p>
<p>Get off the East Coast and STATE SCHOOLS RULE.</p>
<p>We’re poor and I’m going to a good school. It’s called a need blind policy and you often get really good financial aid. It’s typically the private schools that are like tier 1 that do this though so it’s hard to get in most of the time.</p>
<p>It is WAY better to be poor (with perhaps an over inflated GPA) than middle class in terms of scholarships/financial aid. As a middle-class person, I was screwed. I see so many academically stunted kids get all these scholarships, but for some reason, I am left to pick up loans. I can’t help but feel bitter when I see all these poor kids get free rides-and yet complain about paying for textbooks-whilst I am forced to take out loans and work 20 hrs a week getting NO financial support.</p>
<p>To answer your question, OP, “poor” people are everywhere, but mostly in community colleges and state universities…and they, out of every socioeconomic class, are benefiting the most.</p>
<p>****! I keep thinking Berkeley is a private school. But yes, you are right, it’s kind of why it’s filled with rich kids. The tuition is high and because it’s a state school, it doesn’t receive as much federal aid</p>
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<p>I completely know how you feel. Should’ve studied for those stupid PSATs for national merit right? btw, it sucks way more if you’re poor and goes to a state school. Think about it.</p>
<p>Sometimes it feels like the poor have it the best for paying for college… (many schools give full rides…)</p>
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<p>Hmm…I’m not sure I follow.</p>
<p>I think it really depends on the state school. I go to a Big 10 school, and I am perfectly contend. But then there are some state schools that are inferior, but generally, they’re decent.</p>
<p>Apyyyy^^It may seem that way, but there are many hurdles to overcome. And I don’t think it would necessarily be easy being poor (even on scholarship) at many of the tippy top schools. The other thing to keep in mind is that very few colleges really give you everything and the students who get everything paid are even fewer in number; you have to be pretty low income and really high stats to go free.</p>
<p>Although many middle class people grouse about the costs, very few would trade what they have, especially when you get into the upper middle class.</p>
<p>It used to be that if you qualifed for the Pell Grant, it would pay tuition and books at a state school and you could figure out how to pay room and board. Now Pell doesn’t always cover tuition and room and board is more expensive too.</p>
<p>When I was a poor kid, I went to Iowa State.</p>
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<p>That’s because they do. If a poor person has decent grades and SAT/ACT scores, he/she won’t even have to worry about paying for college. </p>
<p>Sadly, I have seen a couple of horror stories where the poor kids lose that full ride and get kicked out of school. You know what ****es me off? When they start blaming the school and faculty for all of their problems (this was the case for a couple of friends of mine).</p>
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<p>Of course, there are plenty of obstacles poor students encounter. I’m not sure how many full-rides are given out a year, but in my state school, if you are poor AND a minority with “ok” grades, you will be given a very generous scholarship, regardless of how prepared you are for college. You get the benefits of being poor college student, while having the luxuries of a rich student who doesn’t have to worry about debt…best of both worlds. The middle class, on the other hand, is hit the hardest.</p>
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<p>I thought the grant still covered tuition, room and board?</p>
<p>Soemone else will have to say what the maximum Pell Grant is. We don’t even apply for aid. I thought that it was around $7000, which would not even cover tuition in Maryland.</p>
<p>To answer your question, my family is poor ($30K income) and cannot afford to send me to college.
I am going to Smith College in the fall.
My older sister participated in the Scripps Howard National Spelling Bee and was on College Jeopardy, she graduated from the University of South Carolina.</p>
<p>Best wishes at Smith, Lilbeebee. Don’t let the musings on here discourage you!</p>
<p>Thank you MD mom! :]</p>
<p>Maximum Pell is $5350, which does not cover in-state tuition in all states.</p>