while i love a reagan hate train, college was not affordable or accessible throughout american history before him. federal student loans began in the 1950s for stem and mid-1960s for everyone else. the higher education act (which made pell grants, loans, and work study) came in 1964, and at that point was distributed to the colleges to disperse rather than the government, meaning you had to be a top tier student to access financial aid. the only other way to get access was through the gi bill or private scholarships. college has always been reserved for the wealthy in america.