Do you feel obligated to pay your child's college costs?

Greg, that is really cool.

As for me, I plan on helping my kids out with rent and food, but the tuition is going to be on them unless I get rich (which more than likely will not occur). I have three kids that I plan on trying to get through college, and with the average yearly cost of college hovering neat 20k, that would mean I would need to foot a bill of about 250K for all three of my kids. That ain't happening. I was lucky that I received an athletic scholarship and my brother had half his college costs paid for by an academic scholarship. I really hope one or more of my children will do the same. It really helped my parents because I feel they felt obligated to pay some or all of the costs of our college education if we had incurred such costs.

 

Yes it is. Any time I think there might be greener pastures elsewhere I stop and think about that. That will be a HUGE benefit once any one of the girls start college. If any of them choose to go to a school not on the list? I shall wish them good luck. I won't pay.

 

Like I told my son's mother when she said he was just like me. I am not raising him to be just like me, I am rasing him to be better than me. I feel I succeeded at that.

 

I'm already putting money into 2 college fund accounts for my future kids. If we have 3, well I guess the 3rd kid is just screwed. Do I feel obligated to do it? Of course not. But I feel it's a nice thing to plan ahead for my kids in case they aren't as gifted intellectually as their father.

I obtained a full scholarship to college, so tuition and dorms were covered, but I still had to pay for groceries, gas, beer, etc. I worked 90 hours/week on construction sites during the summers so I could party and enjoy my time while in college. I must say it was quite nice graduating college without any debt. I have several friends who are still financially handicapped due to their 100k+ college debts.

 

I think a parent should help if they can. I went with loans. I worked as a stock boy nights at a grocery store for spending money. I paid the loans all off with the money I couldn't spend for the 2 years I was in Vietnam. My son paid for his education at Duke with a full ride academic scholarship. That was easy. LOL I had to pay room and board for him.

 

Good for you David. I bet you are very proud of your son.

 

I feel obligated to give my kids every opportunity and every advantage they can get to make a good/better life for themselves and their upcoming families... part of that is getting educated so they can support themselves and have an easier life...

 

The bottom line is, my boy never asked to be brought in this world. Its my obligation to train him and raise him to care for himself, same as a bird would do for its chicks or a bear for her cubs.

Now, if my boy is still living at my house at 30 because he cannot care for himself, then I have failed. So in this world at this day and time, it is my obligation to send him to college or training of some sort. No matter if it is traditional college or vocational school.

 

I have no kids so i dont' have to make that call, but my parents didnt put anythign towards my college tuition. They helped out with books & some food from time to time. Everything else was on me with scholarships, loans & work/study jobs. I was also an RA to help cut expenses.

 

from the time i could remember my father voice, this was the message:

"you HAVE to be good at sports (football) cause thats the only way you are going to college. your mamma and i aint got no money to send you to school!" oh and once i brought home a "C" and pops told coach he be without Isaiah this week!

same message to my sis (she ran track and played soccer) my folks had no idea about student loans and just figured us kids would join the military like they did, THEN go to school on the G.I. Bill.

i dont fault my pops for saying this i actually think it made me a better athlete! but kids gotta know that sports isnt the only way! but this is the same man who gave me a dollar bill on my 18th birthday and told me it was the last dollar i'd EVER get from he and my mom. (still had 6 months of HS left) i had a job washing dishes, but he knew i needed that all or nothing push.

im proud of what i have done and wouldnt treat my kids much different. you wanna go to school you pay your own way. had my folks given me $$$ i'd for sure bought beer or pissed it away. scholarship paid tuition, work study job along with bouncing at a local bar took care of food and spending money.

sis on the other hand need a little help. two sports in college were a bit much, but that was always the case in our household... she's the youngest and the female so she got pampered a bit. so when i heard she got some grocery monies i wasnt surprised.

 

My parents paid for half my college and the rest I got from student loans. I owe 20k right now but considering the bump in pay I'm getting just for having a college degree will pay for that countless times over.

 

That's a pretty fair deal right there. I'm doing it in thirds........ me, his mom and him.

 

Good topic...

As a parent I WANT to do everything I can for my child! For my wife and I this is easy to justify, as we are both successful and older than most parents. (early 40's when we had our "bundle of joy") Basically, we are both self employed with finacial options.

However, I can promise my boy that if he DOES NOT work for his success he will be on his own, it's up to him... I will gladly help him out for 1/2 or 3/4 of his costs, ONLY if he shows responsibility and proves he isn't wasting our money. Plain and simple...

 

I've been paying for my kids college since they were new borns... Florida has a pre-paid college fund, and I pay for that until they are 16. Locks in the rate from the year you start it, and gets them a full 4 year ride to any Florida school. Given that the wife and I are both UF Alum...somewhat limits their choices.

Deal with either is if they get a scholarship - they get the money.

I worked my way through college turning wrenches and I don't want them to have to do that.

Sean

 

I'm happy to float the bill. When one is playing for the Yankees, the other playing for the NY Rangers and the youngest winning the green jacket at the Masters they can pay me back (without interest)

Phew!!! what a dream.... back to reality. We'll do as much as we can (and a little more) when the time comes

 

I do not feel obligated and am not going to.I will help with expenses.


I feel they will take it more serious and get more from it if it is their coin instead of mom and dads.

I paid for my school and my wifes 3 different times. If we could do it so can they.

 

You do not miss an oppertunity do you ?? Good one !!!

Tim

 

Im in college right now and my parents want to pay for it but i just had to tell them no. Im old enough and knowledgeable enough to take care of most things on my own now. They are not benefiting from me going to college, so i dont feel they need to pay for it. I've been working for a few years now saving and planning. I feel they will be willing to help if i need it, but that is a last resort for me. Loans and hard work is my way of doing it. So that way if im failing a class i can sit back and think "hmm, thats 400 dollars i could have bought gas and beer with"

So my vote is that kids should pay for their own education

 

I agree with you that they will take it more serious. I did.

But don't you feel some obligation to making sure they can care for themselves and move out sooner or later?

I know one thing, if my boy is gifted, and if he puts forth the effort, I will work 3 jobs to get hime thru college. if he half asses it, I say I will be more inclined to do the same.

 

There are plenty of college grads at wal mart.They didn't take it serious so all they got was a piece of paper that is useless.

The key to college actually helping someone is having a purpose and being serious,other wise they are just partying on momma and daddy's money.


I feel obligated to teach them to take it serious so that they can benefit from the great opportunities in this country.


I actually think my kids will receive scholarships if they set their minds to it.