Coming from a similar background like the original poster, I agree with him.<p>And no I didn&#x27;t run out of money while in college because I went on ski trips. I lived on student loan and credit card just to pay for food and not much else. My parents couldn&#x27;t send me much money. And yes I worked to earn money while in college, which doesn&#x27;t help with improving grade. And of course the peers with no money worry can pick and choose non-paying internships or go do something that adds to their resume.<p>Growing up poor (I mean poor) damages one&#x27;s psyche that others just don&#x27;t understand. The degree of severity may vary but combine teen years + seeing parent(s) struggle with money everyday, you have a recipe for a hurt in your heart that lasts your life time that others just don&#x27;t understand. And this &#x27;hurt&#x27; is more noticeable when you know your peers around you are not suffering same issue.<p>And no I don&#x27;t advocate for a national program to eradicate poverty.