there are grants for poor people, i actually got a few. and scholarships, but there aren't a lot of those. maybe 10-20% of people get a scholarship, but most are small ones that might cover a few books.
the biggest issue is the govt basically guarantees anyone who gets accepter to college can get financing. so universities let in a BUNCH of people. so many that a lot of dormitories have to convert spaces like study rooms as sleeping areas until rooms open up when people drop out.
20 years ago if u had a low GPA and low ACT score you couldnt get accepted anywhere. now you can get accepted at all sorts of state schools. the govt signaled it would front money, so colleges flooded the market.
I can see why, universities want to earn more, tutors and lecturers need their raise, and how convenient it would be to get guaranteed income from the government.
I remember you work with needy kids ya? What wad your college degree ?
Does the government reimburse or help finance your degree if you are working in special fields that service the public ?