Question: We all know it’s that time of year again. Unfortunately, my letters sent to colleges that I will not attend aren’t because I’ve found the college of my choice. Quite the opposite actually. I’m having to explain to colleges that while they are my top choices I will not be attending because of financial problems. Some of you may think I’m bitching or whining. I am, but this is a problem in America and it needs to be discussed. Maybe I’ll write an article for the newspaper but I doubt the CONservative REICHwing press we have in this country would even hear what I have to say (or anyone who doesn’t suck the rich people’s dicks). So I’ll be cramming into one of those public schools when I, like so many others, am qualified for higher-notch colleges. For security, I’m not going to mention the specifics of my situation, but the financial aid package was so far from reality that attending the college(s) of my choice was virtually impossible. I could have gone but would graduate with a bachelor’s in over $100,000 in student loans.
It doesn’t matter if you are deep in the trenches of the lower CASTE in Amerika (yes the K belongs), there simply isn’t any generosity for the poor in this slave nation. On the bright side, these private U’s were giving me a good chunk of their own private money. The problem is that the Federal government wouldn’t supplement it. Just a few years back, I had family who got thousands from the government while now, I can barely get a hundred. After dozens of letters and phone calls, it simply rang truth in my ear that education is simply not a priority in this country. In addition to articles I’ve read about anti-intellectualism and dumbing down the colleges as well as poor funding, the lack of aid simply adds another truth to the matter. Apparently, filling Chevrolet Suburbans with greasy ExxonMobil oil is a priority and that education is amongst the lowest of the government’s concerns. I don’t blame the colleges themselves; in fact I wrote very mature, thankful, and point-blank messages. It’s the government I point my finger to. This is AMERICA folks–the richest nation on the planet. We are so rich that we could just give a smigen of our money to feed literally the whole world. We could provide a service so that every American could have healthcare at low-cost and sure enough we could make sure that “NO CHILD IS LEFT BEHIND.” Ok, so I’m an adult (barely) but there is no excuse for colleges and universities to be losing qualified and interested students due to the government’s apathy and greed.
In fact, I knew a girl who was so qualified that she was accepted into the top Ivy schools. Sadly, she lived in poverty conditions and had to attend the State U because she didn’t get enough aid. She’s DEAD now, so I guess it just doesn’t matter anymore. I’ve had many tell me I should go to the community college to save money. That isn’t the issue. The issue is that you should be able to get the education you want and need and not have to settle for less because you aren’t as FORTUNATE as others. They don’t say others are “less fortunate” for a reason. The word “fortune” comes from “fortunate.” After all, the whole capitalist machine is just one big gambling casino isn’t it? Some people walk away with the fortune while the rest leave with nothing! The strongest links (aka rich) are the minority while the weakest links (the poor) are the majority. Hope you didn’t mind my vent and even if you did, too bad. It needs to be said. People are suffering in this slave country. People are tired of the caste system (aka the classes). All the precious WHITE rich kiddies get to work at GAP and spend their money on CDs and Disney carnival rides and get to attend their Ivies for free without worry while minorities and the poor have to work hard to pay the bills and put food on the table. No wonder so many of the urban poor drop out of high school and never go to college. They have to eat. What a crock of shit this slave caste nation is. Divided States of AmeriKKKa: Land of the slave, home of the feared.
Answer: Ignoring your obvious bitterness, a few more facts of your situation would help explain things better. Without revealing private information, can you reveal how much financial aid was offered by the private colleges you wanted to attend? And a range that includes your family’s income? And whether your parents outright refused to pay or whether they merely decided to spend their money on other things. I ask because I and “Out West” can vouch for the fact that a middle class family earning a decent income can still receive more financial aid from private schools than from public ones. Some of that is needs-based but, in Out West’s case, his daughter’s awards were based on merit (my kids’ aid was a combination of need and merit).
Moreover, if you were my kid, I would never deny you the college of your choice based on cost. After all, your parents allowed you to apply to these schools, knowing the cost might be a problem but not impossible. I guess I would even go for the $100,000 in later debt, if it meant enough to me. You have not taken into consideration that your financial aid could have significantly increased after your freshman year, especially if you performed well.
I cannot bring myself to feel sorry for your situation. You chose it. Perhaps, you should consider doing well your first year in public school and transferring to the college of your choice. On the other hand, college can be what you make of it. You may find that what you settled for ends up being the best place for you. Let us know.
Related posts:
- Rejection Letters to Colleges
- Rejection Letters to Colleges
- Thought du jour: Rigid Class structure in U.S. Maintained by higher education system
- Is there help for me?
- Charter Schools?
- What about the Middle Class Community?
- Western honors colleges with full tuition? Long.
- Is there help for me?
- OT Re: When top students settle for lesser colleges
- Thought du jour: Rigid Class structure in U.S. Maintained by higher education system
- Robin Hood in Reverse
- Some Thoughts
No comments yet.
Leave a comment