Navigating the landscape of college tuition can feel overwhelming, especially for families like ours. Recently, we completed the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for our daughter’s upcoming college journey, and it was a sobering experience. Upon receiving the results, my initial reflections on how swiftly time has passed shifted to disbelief over the expected family contribution—$9,000—an amount we are supposedly able to pay after accounting for federal loans.
My partner and I fall squarely within the middle class. My partner has consistently worked full-time, while I’ve juggled part-time employment since we started our family. We’ve never approached a six-figure income and have lived in various regions with differing expenses. While we manage our bills and have recently eliminated our car payments, we find ourselves without significant college savings for our three children. I still carry substantial student loan debt, despite my husband having paid his off years ago.
Many middle-class families can relate to our situation. My own parents faced similar challenges two decades ago, which ultimately led to my own hefty student loans. My mother transitioned from being a stay-at-home mom to a nurse, which coincided with the time I was applying for college financial aid. Regrettably, we made some critical mistakes; choosing a private college far from home without fully understanding the cost differences was one.
My parents, who had limited income during my childhood, lacked savings for my education, and by the time I was ready for college, their earnings had risen enough to disqualify us from significant financial assistance. I received some scholarships and federal loans, but they fell short of covering tuition, housing, and travel expenses. This led us to private loans—another misstep.
Graduating with honors, I entered the teaching profession, where the starting salary was a mere $19,000 while my student loan payments loomed at $400 monthly. Fast forward twenty years, I’m married with three kids, still working part-time in education, and my student loans remain largely unpaid.
Just like my parents, my spouse and I have only recently started earning a bit more, coinciding with our FAFSA submission. Despite my greater understanding of the financial landscape, it still feels frustrating to be caught in this middle ground. The FAFSA’s expected contribution doesn’t account for our child’s medical expenses, past years of lower income, or the urgent repairs needed for one of our vehicles.
Had we been in worse financial shape, we might qualify for grants; had we been wealthier, we could pay for college directly or use savings. Instead, we find ourselves navigating a convoluted financial aid system that assumes we have resources we simply don’t possess.
Our daughter plans to attend a state university, so we’re not facing exorbitant tuition, yet college costs—even at public institutions—remain high. The price of textbooks is particularly infuriating; for instance, why does a basic algebra book cost $200 when online resources, like those from Khan Academy, offer free alternatives?
While I appreciate the stability our middle-class status provides—allowing us to cover essentials and save a little—we still face a daunting financial landscape as we prepare for college. My daughter is a talented violinist, and we hope for scholarships to ease some of the burden. We’re determined to make it work, but it shouldn’t be this difficult.
Observing countries that provide affordable higher education funded through taxes, much like our public schools, only amplifies my frustration with the American system, which often leads many dedicated students into crippling debt. If one seeks to understand the diminishing middle class, examining the financial aid process could be a good starting point.
For more insights, check out this related post on our other blog about financial resources.
Summary
The rising costs of college tuition have left many middle-class families struggling to afford higher education. With insufficient savings and limited financial aid options, navigating the financial landscape can feel overwhelming. As families grapple with these challenges, the disparities in education funding become increasingly apparent, highlighting the need for systemic change.