My parents make around 30-34k a year(combined), which is more than some people on here, but really nothing compared to others, and the governments says they should cover 2-3k a year for my tuition in school. I live at home and dependent on them. Since I have been college, now at a university, I have only taken out 1800 dollars in loans since I have been in college since fall 05. Granted, I have paid out of pocket here and there: most of my money for school has come from Pell Grant, Florida Student Assistance Grant and one scholarship, which was only 500-700 a year that finally ran out last year; however, I have been able to cover the cost fairly well compared to others. Being poor or under the line helps with paying for school. My parents had absolutely zero money put away for me for college, yet I have been able to manage thus far even though I am attending an expensive university which is double my community college tuition! I think the government is willing to help anyone pursue a higher education even if that person is broke with no money. I plan to study abroad this coming Fall, and I have no idea how to cover the cost, but I am willing to try and find a way!

Cheers

i want to go to college and further my education but money is always on my mind. i dont really want to worry about money and getting into debt at a young age. i want to be stress free while i am in college....

I've read most of the comments below and I, too, agree with all the government issues. In this world, you either go to college or fall behind in life. However, most people can't afford to go to college ! Does that not ring any bells?! College is expensive and sometimes it never ends, the bills I mean. Sigh, I want to go to one of the best colleges in Michigan, here, but my parents don't have the money to send me away, I understand it. However, I'd like for them to understand too that, by just going to a community college, one does not prevail those that have gone to bigger, greater and better universities. THEY JUST DONT UNDERSTAND !

I find the article unrealistic to the point of being absurd. I, like many ifnot most of my contemporaries, paid my way through college with very little help from my parents; I don't remember them ever paying my tuition. This was very common back in the 70s, 80s and 90s. To state, especially during an economic downturn, that they are primarily responsible for paying for college for young adults (that is what you are when you enter college)changes the whole American paradigm of independence and being able to work your way up in the world. I am not divorced. My wife and I BOTH work, (something my parents didn't have to do) we have college degrees and we are still just barely getting by as it is. WE WILL HAVE TO GET HELP, LIKE MOST MIDDLE CLASS AMERICANS, TO GET OUR CHILDREN THROUGH COLLEGE. To label all of us as somehow being deadbeats is an incredible insult.

The problem herein lies, in the method that the Federal Government obtains data to determine if parents can afford to pay for their children to attend Colleges/ Universities .

In our situation we only have one child living at home with us and under the age of 21. We ALSO (which the Federal Gov't will NOT take into their factoring) have 5 other Adult children in college...but they are not living with us any longer, have apartments, got married and own a home, etc...)...COUPLED with the fact that we are senior citizens living on a fixed income. The Federal Gov't calculates the FASFA for our son based on (1) child in the family. If we spent the kind of money on our children's advanced educations...WHAT WOULD BE LEFT FOR OUR RETIREMENT!? Are our children going to pick up those expenses. OUR GOVERNMENT SURELY IS NOT!!!!

Why should it depend on our income? If we want to go back to school, there should be some kind of help?? Now the governmnet want to tax us for returning to sv=chool, they'll do anything to get money! Why don't they want to give any grants away anymore? They give the rants to people who aren't even citizens, it's not fair!! I barely make enough money to get by, and my mom &dad help me alot, but I still have no money at the end.

My education was flushed down the drain when i recieved my first D in high school. I take one step out into the real world by going to a community college for a couple of semesters and getting a part time job. Hoping one day i can go to a four year university. My Dad work to put a roof over my sister and me for years and years. Our run down apartment rent increase every year makes it harder on us. My future is in the hands of the government because i know my father is trying his best to keep me healthy and alive.