Hello dear AG,
even before I had finished reading your article, I thought I had to tell you about Germany, but then you used my fatherland itself as an example.
Fortunately, students here at public colleges don't have to pay fees if they graduate within a given time frame. So a certain equality of opportunity between rich and poor is guaranteed. Unfortunately, the selection here starts much earlier, which I could sing a sad song about as a special education teacher with many disadvantaged kids.
Best wishes for your granddaughter and her paying family!
Warm regards and a strong hug,
Chriddi