“Have You Achieved the American Dream?

The question of going to college has always frightened young students and even their parents.
Many Americans say going to college is the only way to achieve the American Dream. Lots of
families struggle with the cost of tuition and fear they won’t be able to send their kids to a good
school. For low- income families like Kyle Johnson’s, it was a matter of attending college at all.
Kyle is a small-town kid from Missouri. He, like many families, worry about being able to afford
the cost of tuition. Students like Kyle who come
from lower-income and even middle-class families
face the difficult situation of paying for college.

Prices for college have been increasing since the

1980s which has caused the number of low-income
students graduating college to decrease from 55.9%
to 45.5%.1 The cost of college tuition has increased
dramatically between 1989-2016. College today for
a four-year institution averages over $100,000.
Compared to an average of $52,892 in 1989.

Many low-income students believe that schools wouldn’t want them to attend their university.
This leaves students wondering if they will be able to experience the American Dream without
going to college. For Kyle, he started debating going to college his junior year, at first, he
decided not to go. He figured because he came from a lower class, he wouldn't be able to afford
the cost and he didn’t want to put his family through that. However, during his senior year of
high school Kyle realized how important college was and began researching schools right away.
He researched many different schools in his area because he knew he couldn’t afford to go away.

Many students stress over the fact of being able to retire with enough money to continue their
life and live their version of the American Dream. To some, the American Dream is having a
steady job with steady income. To own a home, have a car payment, and occasionally take a
vacation. According to a New York Federal Reserve report, people that go to college are more

1
“For Poor Students, Getting into College is Harder Than It Seems” In this article there are many examples of logos,
I learned a lot of statistics about colleges. The number of lower income students graduating are decreasing and
college tuition continues to increase.
likely to own a home by age 33.2 Less than one third of people who don’t go to college are
homeowners at the same age.

Schools are trying to limit the amount of student debt. Schools such as Rice University have
begun to expand their financial aid offerings to families who have income under $130,000.
President David Leebron states “talent deserves opportunity".3 Therefore, the school is promising
to cover the tuition of any family income between $65,000-$130,000 starting in the fall of 2019.
Actions like this will give more students like Kyle a better opportunity for a brighter future. The
average student graduates with about $34,000 in debt which is up 70% from ten years ago.4
Studies have shown that not only are students borrowing more money for college, more students
are borrowing. The total student debt has reached $1.3 trillion surpassing credit card debt and
auto loans.5

Kyle, like many students filed a FASFA in order to receive financial aid to help pay the cost of
tuition. Filing a FASFA allows students to be eligible to receive some of $120 billion in grants.6
Kyle did everything he could to get himself through college. He
submitted his FASFA and received several hundred dollars in
financial aid each semester. He also applied for a federal
work study, a program that provides eligible students’
wages with federal funds. This program makes it easier for
students to find work. Work study aid does not need to be
repaid and students can use it as they wish.

For the middle-class families who might not qualify for the need-based aid can still apply for
loans. Students may qualify for federal student loans such as direct graduate loans and grad plus
loans. Parents may also apply for a parent plus loan, that allows them to borrow money for their
child’s education. Kyle’s mom applied for the parent loan and was eligible for more than $1000

2
“College is more expensive now than ever, but there’s still a compelling reason to go: it’s a fast track to the
American Dream” This article also provides logos, it gives a report stating that people who go to college usually
achieve the American Dream and own a home.
3
“Rice University Says Middle-Class and Low-Income Students Won’t Have to Pay Tuition” In this article it talks
about a university that has devoted its attention to eliminate student debt and help its students pay the cost of
college.
4
“CNN Money” In this article I learned about student debt. How more and more people are borrowing more
money every year and that the total student debt has surpassed credit card and auto loans. I also learned just how
much the prices of college has changed over the past decade.
5
”4 Important Eligibility Requirements to Qualify for Financial Aid” In this article I learned what a college student
looking for scholarships and grant must go through; the college process. It also talks about programs and other
ways to earn money towards college tuition.

6
“4 Important Eligibility Requirements to Qualify for Financial Aid” In this article I learned what a college student
looking for scholarships and grant must go through; the college process. It also talks about programs and other
ways to earn money towards college tuition.
of aid. These financial aid opportunities are what help the low-income and middle-income
families pay the cost of tuition and achieve the American Dream.