<p>@cptofthehouse is dead on. Highly selective colleges maintain stringent admissions criteria. Students who meet those qualifications tend to come from better funded or private high schools, invariable skewing the income demographics toward the more affluent families. Many affluent families realize they will not qualify and don’t apply for FA.</p>
<p>That said, despite a virtual crusade by the likes of Questbridge and the Joyce Ivy foundation why does it seem like arm twisting is required to get kids to apply for scholarships that could change their lives.</p>
<p>Last thought, Something as simple as dual enrollment can really slash the out of pocket cost of a college education yet at least in my school district and many I am familiar with it is vastly underused. Any thoughts ?</p>