If I had had to borrow to go, I would have not gone. I used my father's unused GI Bill and lived at home my first 2 years, and then I worked part-time and used my own GI Bill for the last 3 after I came back from the service. But in those days, USF tuition for a FL resident not living on campus was about $200/quarter. My GI Bill was about $200/mo. Books and living expenses were my responsibility. Of course, that was a lot of money in the late 60s. (A brand new VW Beetle cost $1800). As for living expenses, I rode a bicycle, had roommates, and lived in a dump so grungy that once City thought it was an abandoned building and they mowed our yard. Still, I had more fun those 3 years than I have ever had, before or since.

I remember thinking at the time it was a fair arrangement and I was very happy with it. Of course, if I had had a mortgage or a family it would have been impossible.

Even in those countries where college is "free", only tuition is covered by the State. Books, fees and other expenses are the student's responsibility. My grandfather attended the University of Havana Med School in the early years of the 20th century (until he was thrown out for radical politics), and he relied on help from his parents even though his tuition was covered by the government. As in most civilized countries, if you are able to pass the entrance exams, the State has the obligation to pay for at least your tuition.

Actually, we have the same system here because tuition does not cover the cost of an education. Only here, the government subsidizes those people who can already afford the tuition. This is why I like to call it a form of middle-class welfare.