High College Tuition: The Challenge to Low Income Students

I originally planned on writing about the high cost of college and its effect on the middle class. After all, the increase in tuition has hurt the middle class the most, often because these students fall short of being eligible for financial aid strictly based on need and yet cannot afford the higher cost of a college education. But as I started to outline my ideas, my thoughts kept returning to a student who I had been working with for over a year.

Like many young first generation students, this young man was extremely driven to attend a good college. He did everything possible to be prepared, and had enrolled in a program that worked with students trying to gain scholarships to private schools. Although he was not able to obtain a scholarship, he continued to attend all of the enrichment activities of the program and focus on developing leadership skills. He was able to attend a national program over the summer, only after writing to friends and family members who could contribute money to attend the program. Maximizing the challenging courses available at his public school, he set out to apply for a multitude of scholarships and applied to a number of competitive schools on the Eastern seaboard. When reviewing his compositions and resume, I was struck by the difference in presentation, mainly due to a lack of professional preparation and advisement that so many other students I interview have. With each draft I returned to him, he struggled to produce a composition that not only reflected his raw talent, drive and determination but one that could compete with the sophisticated, maturely written compositions I was used to seeing.

I was happy to see that although my young student did not get into most of the highly competitive schools he aimed for, he was offered admission to a number of reputable schools in the area. I was also pleased to see that a number of the schools offered him what would appear to be sizable scholarships. His mother asked me to sit down with them and explain just what his financial award offered so that the family could start making plans. It was at this point that I began to have concern.

Although I spend considerable time warning parents about the actual award letter and the various parts of aid it includes, this particular award was upsetting, given the fact that this student had played by all of the rules in hopes of gaining a quality education. While part of the problem was in fact that this student applied to primarily private schools for admission in hopes of obtaining financial aid, the cost of education at either a public or private school was going to be a burden to his family. Perhaps some of the blame must be laid at the feet of parents ignorant of the real cost of college and the fact that financial aid rarely equals scholarship only. But I also must point to guidance counselors who fail to do their jobs, and schools that often fail to accurately explain what the true cost of their college education is to parents and to Federal and State grant agencies that often fail to adequately publicize the deadlines and eligibility requirements for grants their residents are eligible for.

It seems that in spite of efforts to ensure that all students, regardless of income, have an equal shot at a college education, this is in fact not the case. The complexity of the process, the lack of sufficient guidance at the public school level, the lower academic standards and lack of advanced course curricula at public schools, serve to widen the difference. Without even mentioning the poverty, drugs and violence many inner city students face every day in pursuit of an education, these kids still fail to compete because of a lack of resources, advisement and encouragement. Many bright students point out that their schools don’t offer AP of IB courses for a lack of teachers or interest. Many of the schools in these communities have block scheduling which significantly reduces the number of courses a student takes in high school, or the student attends schools that have a strong vocational focus placing less emphasis on solid academic preparation.

Here is a young man who in spite of managing to avoid many of these obstacles needs $20,000 to attend college. This is quite a burden for a single parent to take on if she wants her son to attend college in the Fall. And of course this is the amount due after receiving a sizeable scholarship, maximum Pell Grant and a Federally Subsidized loan. How could I in good faith encourage this young man to take on an additional $20,000 in loans to pay the difference between financial aid and the rest? Looking at this number, this student should expect to graduate with over $100,000 in loans, if he is able to graduate in 4 years. ( Nationally, most students are graduating in 5-6 years) And how guaranteed is his scholarship? How much will it change over the next 4 years? Is it renewable or subject to maintaining a minimum GPA?

What do I say to this young man and his mother? How do I counsel them? Yes, I could take the easier route and recommend the State University. His time commuting would be considerable and if he lives on campus, he will still have quite a bit to pay out of pocket. I could encourage him to go to the community college closer to home. Encourage him to buy a used car and commute to school. And statistically, he’d have about a 15-20% chance of graduating and going on for the BA. But is that in fact where that young man belongs? Wouldn’t his chances of succeeding be better if he were able to attend college in a community that focused on college, where his peers were all involved in educational and career pursuits, where his safety was not challenged and he could take full advantage of the college experience? How much better would it be for him if he didn’t have to worry about finding the additional monies to pay for his books and supplies and could use spare time studying and doing research? How much closer to his goals would he be?

For many young students like this young man, we have failed these students. The “uncommon education for the common man” that envisioned a system of public education which would ensure that all Americans have a chance at college has failed. The private colleges, while doing a tremendous job in raising millions of dollars for scholarships to educate the neediest students, have been a drop in the bucket in the face of such need. And every student is not Ivy League caliber. How does a solid B-C+ student get a shot at a college education that prepares them for the more competitive, professional jobs that continue to go to the brightest and the richest. In the 70’s, it seemed that some of these barriers were being torn down. But, the rising cost of college and increased sophistication, complexity and competition has served to reduce the number of low income and minority students being admitted and graduating from college. This number is even lower when we look at the admission and retention rates of minority males.

I usually have words of encouragement or advice at this point, suggestions for my readers, but there is no easy answer to this.

Parents, if you truly intend for your children to go to college, you must start planning and saving early. Do not rely on scholarships to pay the way, because they don’t. Rather than pushing your child to excel in a sport that they are mediocre at best, start saving money in a 529 plan. Get your family to contribute and as your child gets older, expect their contribution too. Stress academic excellence, it is the most important determinant for aid after financial need. The better the grades, the more competitive the student is and the more colleges will want your child. Encourage community service as well. Many scholarships and service organizations give their scholarships to students who have given to others. And finally, before you go college hunting, have a long talk with your child about expenses. Discuss what you can and cannot afford. Do research on college costs and develop a plan for how the family will afford a particular cost. It’s okay to apply to a couple of “reach” schools but make sure that you have quite a few affordable schools represented on your list. Get an estimate of your family EFC so you have some idea what the government thinks you can afford to contribute, but remember that it is only a guideline. If a school cannot afford to meet all of your need, your family will be expected to pay more than your EFC states. There are many tools that can help you figure out the EFC.

Students, ultimately this is your future on the line. You have to take responsibility for figuring out how you will be able to afford college. Picking expensive schools, with no thought to cost is irresponsible and immature on your part. Do your best to make yourself competitive. Aim for high grades, take challenging courses and if you can, take college level courses in high school. It not only helps you earn credit while in high school but it makes you better prepared to do well in college. Use your summers to earn additional money for college and start contributing to that 529 plan. Research scholarships early and pay attention to deadlines. It is not your parent’s responsibility to manage this. Apply early for financial aid in January of your senior year and research grant deadlines in your state. Consider attending your state university - it is cheaper. Remember that attending State universities outside of your home state is as expensive as most private schools. (Out of state residents can pay double the tuition of in state residents) I am sure there are equally comparable schools in your own state. Your parent’s taxes support these colleges. Do without the new car and trips over spring break; put your money towards tuition. You have the rest of your life to enjoy those things. And if you must take loans for college, borrow as little as possible. Research loan forgiveness programs and start working on a repayment plan that will get you debt free as quickly as possible.

Remember no one is asking you to give up your dreams or abandon your goals. I just want you to think about the cost and not stick your head in the sand. This is the very real world that you are moving into. It’s up to you how well you fare in it.

So what did I tell my student? Think about the cost, think about your end goal and think about your options. Whatever decision you make, you must consider all three and then take responsibility for that decision and go after it. It could be easier, but for many of you out there it isn’t. It’s just another one of the many challenges you’ll have in life, so now is as good time as any to take them on.

The Buck Stops Here

Have you had that talk with your kids yet? You know the one where you sit them down and explain that the world doesn’t revolve around them. The message that everything they want will not magically appear in front of them when they want it….No? Well what are you waiting for? We all comment on how this younger generation is spoiled and selfish, too soft and dependent. But what are you as a parent doing about it?
Have you raised your child with a strong sense of values, what’s right and wrong?
Do you live by those values or would you have to admit that sometimes you’re a hypocrite?
Have you raised your child sharing your religious faith? And then do you practice the love and charity it preaches on a daily basis?
Do you talk to your kids, really listen to their questions and concerns?
Do you play with your kids…you know sit down for a game of Monopoly on Saturday nights?
Do you sit down and eat together as a family at least 5 times a week?
Do you have structure in your home, routine and stability that they can rely on from day to day?
Do you have rules and then consistently enforce them or do you often cave in to the temper tantrums and acting out?
Have you taught you child manners and how to share with others?
Have you encouraged your child to compete in sports, stressing sportsmanlike behavior?
Does your child have chores and responsibilities like cleaning their room, making their bed, helping with the meals?
Do they get an allowance or are they treated to any and everything they want?
Are they encouraged to save for the things they want?
During the holidays, are they expected to buy presents for other family members and not just focus on their own list?
Do they spend time with their grandparents?
Have you talked with your child about finances and what the family can and can’t afford?
Do you encourage your child to start and complete class projects independently?
Are you able to say no to your teenage child?
Does your teen have a curfew?
Have you talked with your child about sex?
Have you encouraged your child to follow their dreams?
Are you saving money for your child’s college education?
Do you encourage your child to regularly volunteer by helping others?
Do you let the TV babysit your kids?
Do you monitor the movies, TV programs, video games and music your child is exposed to?
Do you know who their friends are?
Does your teen ask to go out and let you know where they are going?
Have you made your opinion about drugs and alcohol clear?
Have you given up on setting rules for your teens, believing that you have no control?

Think about all of the missed opportunities you may have had to really shape the adult your child will become. Are you proud of that adult? At some point we all have to stop blaming the media, society, peer culture and take a good look at ourselves. Rather than enact legislation or attempt to enforce laws that carry a particular moral view, we need to focus on our primary job as parents. Yes, our children will grow up to make adult decisions that we have no control over, but along the way have we allowed them to experience the consequences of those decisions? I believe if we are doing our job, we have far less to worry about in terms of what every one else is doing. If we are to have faith in this new generation, we must first know that we have done our job. Have you?