College Costs Are Up, But So Is Financial Aid (NY Times)

It may not last long, but one economist says students, on average, are paying less for college than they were five years ago when the costs are adjusted for inflation.

Mark Lesser
October 29, 2010 at 10:59 am
College costs are up BECAUSE of more financial aid. What seems to be happening is that middle income families are bearing an undue burden for giving aid to those that are or only appear to be needy. When colleges state that the cost of an education is more than they charge for tuition, they are engaging in false advertising. The costs that they site include the costs of financial aid. In other words, those that pay tuition are paying for those that don’t. Very poor people, very rich people, and people skilled in only appearing to be poor get off with little or no burden. In this way, the collegiate complex aids to the ongoing destruction of the middle class.