Stan Shunpike and class distinction

[corinthum]

No: HPFGUIDX 56737

imamommy asked:

> Do all British wizarding children go to Hogwarts?  What about Stan 
> Shunpike?  If he's 18 or 19 in PoA, mightn't he have been there for 
> Harry's first year (if he went)?  Are there major class distinctions 
> in the WW?  Are there some children whose families can't afford 
> Hogwarts, and where do they go?  Do all British children wear 
> uniforms at school or is that just at elite boarding schools?  How
>do 
> the Creeveys support two students on a milkman's wages?  Is there a 
> scholarship program?  Does anyone else think of this stuff?
> imamommy
> (who wishes someone would give her a Pensieve for Mother's Day)

In my opinion, if they have magical ability, him too, possibly, not
really, no, see previous reply, most, it's free, and yes. 
Respectively.  :)

To elaborate...

The only requirements we've heard about thus far regarding entrance
requirements is magical ability.  Neville family worried he wouldn't
get in due to minimal magical ability.  However, despite Ron's
constant worry about his financial situation, he never once makes a
comment that he was worried about attending Hogwarts.  This leads me
to believe the school is free, and therefore all children with
sufficient magial ability are accepted regardless of financial
situation.

Reagarding Stan Shunpike, I see no reason why he couldn't have
attended Hogwarts.  Working on the Knight Bus seems like a pretty
typical short-term job for someone who has just graduated but has not
yet gained his or her ideal job.
 
-Corinth