In the U.S. being "born alive" is defined by Federal Statute. http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/1/8

Some information about differences by nation is contained on page 7 of this Congressional Research Service report: http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/misc/R41378.pdf

This is nearly a decade old, so some changes may have occurred.

Even at private institutions with very high tuition rates, your tuition payment represents a fraction of the costs of your education. All students are on a scholarship.