You say this like borrowing for college is a reasonable choice for most people, or a choice at all. For many, going to college means borrowing money because the

You say this like borrowing for college is a reasonable choice for most people, or a choice at all. For many, going to college means borrowing money because there isn't another way. The average cost for tuition and fees in Indiana is nearly 8,000 per year. This does not include books and supplies (at around $1200) nor what they view as living expenses ($11,500). This is an average yearly cost of $20,700: $9,000 of this will be needed in a lump sum payment to the school when going. And I'm guessing the yearly living expenses aren't exactly all-inclusive. Minimum wage is only $7.25. If you work 38 hours a week for a year you only earn a bit over $14,000 before tax. You might not get tax breaks because you are still a dependent on your parent's taxes. Heck, you can't even afford to pay your living expenses if you are working part-time. As a young high school graduate, most jobs that are willing to work around your college schedule pay this rate. I'm not saying it is impossible, but highly improbable that you can go to college without financial aid. Tuition skyrocketing - yet again - will make little to no difference.