Comment by intralizee | Hacker News Reader

Comment by intralizee | Hacker News Reader

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How very fair are these financial aid packages they offer? I went to a low tier university compared to the "elite" named ones and still think it was expensive compared to previously what my parents paid when going to school. The first years at a community college for two years before stepping into university wasn't really a well known thing like today when I started. I don't think people are living luxurious lifestyles at college unless they have rich parents. It wasn't even possible to take out loans that would cover everything if one would choose from my knowledge. Everywhere now a days for anything higher than min-wage requires a degree for an interview. I'm not even sure how med students manage to keep their mental health sane.

>Our program requires no contribution from Harvard families with annual incomes below $65,000. About 20% of our families have no parent contribution. Families with incomes between $65,000 and $150,000 will contribute from 0-10% of their income, and those with incomes above $150,000 will be asked to pay proportionately more than 10%, based on their individual circumstances. Families at all income levels who have significant assets are asked to pay more than those in less fortunate circumstances. Home equity and retirement assets are not considered in our assessment of financial need.

https://college.harvard.edu/financial-aid/how-aid-works

I don't see that as making this a very fair system. Many of my colleagues had parents refuse to pay a dime. I know they were hurt by it and some actually had to wait until they were of age to be an independent.

Private schools cost money. Somebody has to pay and it isn't the state. If your parents don't want to pay for a private education, then take it up with them. It's fair from Harvard's perspective and the perspective of the general population.

I wasn't aware of the voting that took place to find out what the perspective of the general population thinks. The university I went to was public and the age for being an independent was for federal student aid. Seems like it doesn't matter if something isn't fair.

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