Colleges are facing an enrollment nightmare | Hacker News Reader

Colleges are facing an enrollment nightmare

theatlantic.com

12 pointspaulpauper12 comments

Colleges are a major purchases where in the negotiation of the transaction, the seller gets to review detailed financial data of the buyer before offering a price.

https://archive.is/Qt0tJ

As a middle-class Gen X-er, the FAFSA gives me PTSD already. ALL the hurdles, knowing that my kid won't get any financial aid anyway. I mean, what's the point? There should be an opt-out button at the beginning: "I know I'm not getting any help. Just finish the wizard and leave me alone."

You have to make a lot of money not to at least qualify for a loan.

The issue is that this should be a very simple process. They could import most of the information they actually need from the IRS to make a determination based on financial needs.

The form already does import most of the info from the IRS...

It IS a simple process. It uses a ton of pre-filled IRS docs.

Its designed so that a 16/17 yo can do it.

You have to make a TON of money to not benefit from the FAFSA.

That’s great news. It sounds much better than I remember it being.

Did it change recently?

I came a from a middle class family. I was applying right after the 2008 crash and my parents income was the lowest it was in ages while going through FAFSA.

It was literally a waste of time.

No? FAFSA also takes into account assets, not just income.

This is a good filter for those who either lack the aptitude or effort to complete it. The fact that the college graduation rate is still low suggests that too many people are being admitted who lack the qualifications to finish, which means the money and time is wasted.

> This is a good filter for those who either lack the aptitude or effort to complete it

No, it's a filter for who has parents who are familiar and comfortable with bureaucratic nonsense.

Just in case you're serious: not everyone has the same opportunities from the get go, and people who might seem lacking in aptitude in the present can become quite proficient in a few years if merely given the chance (not everyone obviously). Proficiency doesn't just drop from the sky.

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