In this edition, Elizabeth discusses the challenges of the college application process, from the frustrating application system to the Byzantine financial aid world.
Wow Elizabeth, I’ve been looking at the college world and what you said is sadly true. Middle class, hard working kids might get a 20 – 25k scholarship to a private school (and they do look at your extra curriculars) that leaves around 30k to pay per year (tuition and board combined). Otherwise it’s state schools that don’t give a lot of aid but at least their tuition is less expensive. If you have a 4.5 gpa and a 1450 SAT score and can get into Stanford or Harvard (etc), some of the top colleges will give financial aid to families making less than 125k or so. Good luck, glad you found a reasonable place to go.
hrvtalon.com 
Wow Elizabeth, I’ve been looking at the college world and what you said is sadly true. Middle class, hard working kids might get a 20 – 25k scholarship to a private school (and they do look at your extra curriculars) that leaves around 30k to pay per year (tuition and board combined). Otherwise it’s state schools that don’t give a lot of aid but at least their tuition is less expensive. If you have a 4.5 gpa and a 1450 SAT score and can get into Stanford or Harvard (etc), some of the top colleges will give financial aid to families making less than 125k or so. Good luck, glad you found a reasonable place to go.