Why exactly are college books so expensive?

Why does my daughter who is a single mother get free college tuition, books and housing BUT?

• her sister who has made all the right choices in life have a huge college debt? One daughter has made several stupid life choices and gets overwhelming help while her sister has excelled at many things, made good life decisions, works while going to college and still has to pay her way in college.

• Answer:

  Personal opinion: Your daughter who "made all the right choices" seems not to have chosen well in the college/university she attended, which might have been too expensive for her finances and then did not choose well by taking on loans for that higher education and which now may be earning high interest and are difficult for her to pay off. Here's a thought - instead of dwelling on past choices and their outcomes for your daughters, be supportive emotionally for both of them and work on encouraging them in positive decisions now and in the future. Best wishes