How to Pay For College : NPR

Roughly 90 percent of people do not pay the full price...

https://www.npr.org/2021/02/17/968662074/5-things-every-family-should-know-about-paying-for-college

Opinion | Why Rich College Students Are Getting More Financial Aid Than Poor Ones - The New York Times

A large share of strapped school budgets is going to “merit aid” for wealthy kids, as part of a bidding war to enroll high-income students.
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/16/opinion/coronavirus-college-rich-kids.html

Many Americans are in the dark about coronavirus-related financial aid

Many unemployed people may not be aware of the coronavirus-related financial assistance that is available to them. A whopping 80% of unemployed Americans say they haven’t reached out for relief measures, according to Credit Karma. They think they don’t qualify. They’re overwhelmed by all the information. They don’t even know where to start.
https://www.cnbc.com/2020/05/16/many-americans-are-in-the-dark-about-coronavirus-related-financial-aid.html

Trump says 'bailouts' unfair to GOP since states needing aid 'run by Democrats in every case'

The president said in an interview that N.Y., Calif. and Illinois "have been mismanaged over a long period of time."
https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/trump-says-bailouts-unfair-gop-states-needing-aid-run-democrats-n1200116

Parents Are Giving Up Custody of Their Kids to Get Need-Based College Financial Aid - ProPublica

First, parents turn over guardianship of their teenagers to a friend or relative. Then the student declares financial independence to qualify for tuition aid and scholarships.
https://www.propublica.org/article/university-of-illinois-financial-aid-fafsa-parents-guardianship-children-students

Low-Income College Students Are Being Taxed Like Trust-Fund Babies

A little-noticed provision in President Trump’s sprawling new tax law is treating middle- and low-income college students as if they are trust-fund babies, taxing sizable financial aid packages at a rate first established 33 years ago to prevent wealthy parents from funneling money to their children to lower their tax burdens.....
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/05/17/us/politics/college-scholarships-tax-increases.html