Navigate the often-overlooked insecurities within public higher education. This insightful book, based on extensive ethnographic research, unveils how public universities can perpetuate student uncertainty and inequality. Blake R. Silver explores the diverse risks students face in making critical academic and financial decisions, revealing stark differences for those from various backgrounds, especially first-generation students. Essential reading for students, educators, and parents, it sheds light on the realities of college life and proposes a model for fostering greater student success and confidence in today’s complex educational landscape.