Concern over the rising cost of college is nothing new, but it’s taking an interesting turn. Most of the attention given to college costs focuses on the sticker price, but few students ever pony up that much. As that price rises, merit-based aid does, too, and most students get what amounts to a discount.
The College Board’s recent reports on trends in college pricing and student aid highlight yet again the difference between the price in the admissions brochure and what families actually pay (The Chronicle, October 29).