If people want 50k or even all of their student debt forgiven

[PufPuf23]

16. Big problem is not just the cost of education, even at public schools.

The cost of education has skyrocketed. Profiteering and egos of edifice IMO are to blame. Education is now mostly a filter that further separates the haves from the have nots. Young people today have reason to complain and be disillusioned, especially if from poor or middle class families. My father went to 8th grade (and hated Cal the "hippie school&quot . Best thing I ever did in life.

Went to Cal as an undergrad; Jan 74 (when turned 21) to March 79. Applied for financial aid. Got tuition waiver as was National Merit Semi-finalist (iirc tuition-student fees was about $90/quarter in 74 an $130 by 79). Got cash for books and supplies. Got a work study grant and a list of possible employers including a Federal lab in same agency (USFS) had worked for since age 16 and had a federal career job (as technician) since age 19. Had a 5 quarter break in middle. First two year was a flat on Durant not far from campus in a beautiful old building. Rent (lived with GF) started at $200/mth and was raised to $225 the 2nd year. Last two years (77-79) was a live in caretaker (free lodging and paid me for any actual work) on an estate off Sea View in Piedmont plus the District Ranger at home Ranger District fixed it so the USFS job switched me back and forth; instead work study was paid 20 hrs a week as GS-7 (and associated benefits). Managed to save money as a student. The two years post graduation went through two federal programs where earned 30 graduate units as a GS-9 and GS-11 all federally paid but had to sign a contract to stay with agency through 85. I considered myself a USFS lifer.

In 1983 the USFS announced 10 slots for midcareer employees to earn Masters. One was to get accepted into a university that would get a grant to support the research and pay salary and benefits but similar to the two opportunities mentioned above, had to sign a contract to stay with agency for 6 years. I was accepted into MBA programs at Stanford, Cal. and UCLA and chose Stanford. Part of this move was to get opportunity for exe to go back to school as well and be near her parents in Silicon Valley. Was to start Fall 1984. Marriage broke up and could not start as scheduled and still owed USFS time on initial 6 year commitment. Stanford was out and went to Cal Haas School in Fall 85. Took out a $5000 loan, mainly to buy first pc, a printer, and copies of word perfect, lotus 123 and DBase. Cashed out federal retirement to fund school. Paid back the loan in one payment the yea I graduated.

I only paid about $1200/year in student fees / tuition per year and was earning about as much in consulting as made with usfs while a student by mid 86. I paid $400 / mth with 3 others to rent a beautiful three story house near the Rose Garden.

Now what is shocking. Here are estimated costs per year at Haas B school now.

http://mba.haas.berkeley.edu/admissions/costs-and-financial-aid

Note at present student fees and tuition are $67,424 per year for a CA resident

Here is a problem more than student loans IMHO. This is a public university.