Screwed

Last night we attended our High School Honor Society Awards Banquet.

Oldest daughter and oldest son were both honored.

Oldest daughter graduates this year. She is class valedictorian and will graduate with a perfect 4.0 GPA. She has lettered numerous times in three different sports. She is well liked by her peers and her teachers hold her in high esteem.

We are so proud of her.

It has been very frustrating to know that in spite of oldest daughter's accomplishments there is a high likelihood that she will be unable to attend college in the Fall. Unfortunately for her, she was born into a poor family that is unable to pay her college tuition. Unfortunately for her, the colleges to which she has applied (and been accepted) are either unwilling or unable to offer her a financial aid package that will afford her the opportunity to attend college. Thus far, three of the four colleges have come in $7600.00 below the amount required for one full year of academic attendance.

Today we received the financial aid package from her fourth college. I am on pins and needles waiting to see if this particular university will offer more in the way of financial aid. I can hardly wait until oldest daughter comes home and opens her letter.

We can contribute a few thousand to oldest daughter's education, but if she needs more than that then oldest daughter screwed.

Screwed.

The sad thing is, there are many young men and women in the same boat as our daughter. Something has to change. As a society, we must do more to make higher education possible for these academically gifted, but financially challenged youth.

If we don't, then I am afraid we are all screwed.