I'm not sure why you were downvoted, as you are absolutely correct. I've lived both sides of that. I grew up in rural fly-over land, and my little farm countr

I'm not sure why you were downvoted, as you are absolutely correct. I've lived both sides of that. I grew up in rural fly-over land, and my little farm country high school with a very high proportion of kids on the lunch subsidy didn't prepare me very well for engineering school. Maybe one kid every other year would attempt engineering school. My pig farmer father died when I was 5, but my mother managed to stuff enough money away even in the lean years that I had money for a cheap land-grant university. As I mentioned, I wasn't all that well prepared. I remember one night when DiffEQ homework was kicking my butt, and said to my self: "Ether get this stuff under your belt, or go home an clean hog barns for the rest of your life." I chose option A. My wife's parents were dairy farmers. She was the guru of scholarship application essays... that paid for her undergrad degree. So, I get what you are saying. I've lived it. My wife lived it. But between us we've accumulated 5 degrees, made some good investments, been in a couple of situations where stock options were pleasantly large, and yes, work is optional right now, even living at Silicon Valley prices. Pardon me if I don't appologize for accompishing what YC and HN are all about. So your post is a little short on actionable solutions to the problems we both see as clear as day. Here is a suggestion: MathPath has a need-tested scholarship fund so that kids that can't afford the camp can go. Tax deductable donations gladly accepted. Join me in donating. Then spread the word about MathPath -- anybody can apply.