I have a niece and nephew currently in college. Do you have any idea how high tuition is at private colleges these days? It is absurdly, frighteningly costly. When my sister-in-law told me how much money she was paying for their schools I may have clutched my chest and fallen over on the ground.
Many schools are doing things to make tuition affordable to middle class families. Harvard and Yale have both increased the assistance they give to middle class families. This is possible in part because of their huge endowments.
But another school has a unique approach. Berea in Kentucky has no tuition. The school motto is “the best education you can’t buy.” Every single student has a 4 year tuition scholarship. Students are required to work 10-15 hours per week doing jobs that help keep the campus running. Food is grown at the campus farm. Talk about instilling a strong work ethic in young adults. Working toward your own education is really a great idea.
There are income requirements in order to be accepted to the college. In a nutshell, you have to be poor. You also have to be smart. Most of the students graduated within the the top 20% of their class.
I still have a few more years before my money oldest child goes off to college. I have a little while longer to keep plugging ears and singing “La la la, I can’t hear you.”
Ah, I woulda qualified in my youth as far as grades and money (not that I would have gone as far as Kentucky, I WANTED to stay close to home). Cool-sounding college.
Comment by Brigitte — July 22, 2008 @ 5:15 am
My favorite 3rd oldest niece is about to enter her senior year at a private university; she’s going for a BS in nursing. ROTC pays her tuition, fees, books & gives her $550/month to cover whatever; the school gave her a scholarship that covers room & board (on which she has to pay federal & state income tax). In exchange she will give up 4 prime years of her life while she serves our country. She’s at Ft. Lewis now with her ROTC group doing boot camp, then she goes to Hawaii (!!) for 3 weeks to shadow an army nurse.
My favorite oldest niece is about to start her masters at Yale because of all the schools that accepted her, Yale offered the most $.
Comment by Kathy from NJ — July 22, 2008 @ 7:39 pm
I plan on homeschooling right through his 4th year in college.
Comment by DW — July 23, 2008 @ 5:01 pm
Wow, that’s GREAT! Kudos to Berea College!! More schools should follow their lead.
Comment by Gina... — July 23, 2008 @ 8:14 pm
I currently homeschool our three children and plan on doing so all the way through high school. Our oldest is 16 and in his second year of high school now. How do you go about homeschooling college???? Is this really possible??? Please respond via my personal email. Thanks
Comment by Tammy — July 26, 2008 @ 10:02 pm