College financial aid: It’s a sham that depends on what colleges think families will pay.

Colleges claim to award scholarships based on merit or need. In reality, they’re just charging the most they think families will pay.

Photo illustration by Natalie Matthews-Ramo. Photo by Monkey Business Images/iStock/Getty Images Plus. Copy Link Share Share Comment Copy Link Share Share Comment In early March, a 17-year-old high school senior I’ll call Ethan got a text message from Ursinus College, a small, private liberal arts school located about 45 minutes outside of Philadelphia. It said, “Great news, [Ethan]! Ursinus College has awarded you additional money! Log into your portal to view your updated financial aid award.” A few days later, Ethan got a letter from Ursinus repeating the same offer. “The Office of Student

saved by

• Stanley Lee

related reading

• Changes in College Admissions — LessWronglesswrong.com
• How the U.S. News Ranks Make Applying to College A Commercial Experience - The Atlantictheatlantic.com
• The Privileged Poorproduction.hup.harvard.edu
• High Anxiety | No Mercy / No Maliceprofgalloway.com
• College advice for people who are exactly like me | benkuhn.netbenkuhn.net
• How College Consultants Invent Perfect Ivy League Applicantsnymag.com
• What Values Really Matter in the College Application Process? - The Atlantictheatlantic.com
• The Minerva Delusion | MIT Admissionsmitadmissions.org
• The Epicurean Dealmaker: Et in Arcadia Egoepicureandealmaker.blogspot.com
• Why you should go to college—especially if you can't afford itlinneaisaac.com
• The myth of meritocracy, according to Michael Sandel — Harvard Gazettenews.harvard.edu
• Can You Create a Diverse College Class Without Affirmative Action? - The New York Timesnytimes.com