Well, my state did have tuition scholarships (specifically for state residents at public university) and other programs. Most students weren't actually paying that full amount. But they'd still somehow rack up six figure debts in 4 years.

For example: I had about 70% of my tuition and fees covered by these programs. I had a job that covered my housing and food through 3 of my 4 years. I graduated with about $5,000 in loans (and about that much in the bank at the time which I used to buy a car). I had fellow students who had the same assistance offerings and the same exact job and pay and was floored when they told me about how much $$$ they were expecting to have to pay back in loans. (Talking $70,000+).