">The lifetime earnings for a college degree holder[1] is probably a lot more than for those without a degree."

I'm assuming this statement is true. I, as an American, have heard it forever. If it's true, I don't think it's true just because of the degree.

While I get clobbered for this next statement, I'm tired of dancing around it. A lot of college graduates come from rich families. I have yet to find one rich family who didn't help out their kids in one way, or another. Some pay for Everything. Some, especially, the father, knows first hand just how difficult it is to make real money in America. They help out their kids get through expensive graduate programs, finance that business, co-sign for that first house, the perks can be tiny, like access to the family lawyer--who actually gives honest advice, etc.

The poor and middle class kids usually have caring parents, but no one is helping them out. There's not much guidance growing up--not because the parents don't care; they just don't know. And as to money, most just can't help out.

In my high school, the kids who "made it" had rich parents. Even the ones who went to UC Santa Cruz, and came home with different brains, are doing well right now. I know so many average, below average rich kids, who with family money, just seem to do well. Most don't talk about it, because it's embarrassing, but I've just seen too often to be anything other than external factors(money), and the right guidance.

A perfect example is our California Luitentant governor. He was a few years ahead of me in high school. I watched his family help him out everytime he failed, and he failed a lot.
Whether it was his learning disorder, his no direction college/baseball? career, his failed bars, his failed businesses, his legal problems, etc.; his family always helped him out. This dude would have been homeless if not for that powerful family. It's more common than people think. Yes, I used an extreme example because I just watched this guy on some tech channel abusing all the tech lingo, and he's fresh on my mind.

I know HN doesn't like it when we talk about family privilege; why? (Yes--I know their are rich kids who get no help, and made it by way of Horatio Alger's path. You're the exception though.

That's why I have always been for helping out the poor and middle class kids. The help is not enough, but take advantage of what's available. And I know--it's not fair that you have to finance that business through the credit card mafia. Yes, you will watch some of your friends get these cushy positions in life. Don't beat yourself up over it--you probally didn't have much/any help?

If you do make it, try to help the ones who really didn't have the support. No, they won't ask out of , but just give them a shot? They are grateful? If anything don't take advantage of them? I'm not sure some colleges/businesses/professionals don't take advantage of them? Remember--rich kids don't go to schools that advertise?

(Went to rant pretty quick. Sorry--It just seems like we get this college debate too often. If I was to do it over again; Yes, I would go to college. I had a great time, on so many levels. I just might, with these tuition levels, after graduation, build up my credit. I might then start to pay off student loans with cc debt. I would then file chapter 7, and start fresh. It's a glitch that's there, but is hard to pull off. These cc companies still redline, so your access to cash, will vary by county. And there's the morality clause the poor, and middle class are spoon feed--which will prevent this tactic from becomming popular? Think of it as a strategic bankruptcy? Yea, that one the rich do all the time? Do it my the book--don't do anything illegial.)