Comments on: Don’t Pay Your Children’s College Education

By: SB

SB — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 21:53:26 +0000

Haha, I’ve always said the same thing. Very good advice. My husband is in the army and when I learned all the great benefits you get in the military (there’s downsides too but most of them are worth it) I automatically decided I’d be preaching military (any branch they like) to my kids from day one, when I have them. If I had it to do over again, that’s what I’d have done.

Unfortunately, there are some people that for whatever reason, physical or mental, that may not be able to join the military. In that case, there’s always scholarships.

I never even thought about military academies. Very good advice! And thank you for your service.

By: SB

SB — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 21:47:09 +0000

Here’s the thing- they shouldn’t have to pay for college. So much of your tuition money goes to utter B.S. College does not have to be as expensive as it is but the administration wastes SO much money on frivolity. I’ve seen it firsthand. Neither you, nor your parents, should pay a penny out of pocket or take out a loan to go to college when the school abuses your money and constantly wants more and more. There are options such as scholarships, military GI bills, etc. that are so much better. Military GI bills add the benefit of added experience in your future career field/MOS. Scholarships, however, are wonderful because you’re making the school pay it’s own wasteful expenses. Figure out how to use the systems, not your parents. Nobody should have to pay for an education.

By: SB

SB — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 21:38:11 +0000

I completely agree with this article! I don’t have kids yet, and as a recent college grad, I have to say the student loan debt IS NOT WORTH IT. College doesn’t guarantee a job anymore, nor is it even all that helpful when finding a job. There are many worthless degrees students get sucked into like womens studies and philosophy. Ever seen any job postings for philosophers out there? I started out doing Accounting as my degree but I’m not a math person, I was only doing it cause my dad wanted me to. I switched to broadcasting, a very skill oriented and, I thought, practical job. Even in this field, there are NO jobs in my area, and many require years of experience that my 18-19 hours of coursework per semester for three and a half years didn’t provide.

There is absolutely no reason to save for, take out loans for, or pay cash for college. Look at how greedy the schools are, how many worthless programs and clubs are being funded that contribute nothing to a student’s physical or mental well being, and how much money is wasted at administrative “functions” (AKA big elaborate parties for the deans and such with lots of food disguised as some conference or something), and the fact that enough is never enough, they always want more money. I’ve seen it first hand, both attending school and working a student job in their budgeting department where I saw firsthand all the wasted money that the universities just “HAVE TO HAVE” from every student every semester.

If you can’t get a scholarship, don’t go to college. The very best option is to join the military for a few years and get experience in an MOS (career path) you think would be right for you. Then use your GI bill to go to school for that career. It pays for your tuition, books, housing, and other necessary expenses as long as you’re in school. This way, you get your degree PLUS those few years of built in experience future employers just HAVE to have.

Trust me, it’s just not worth the 20,000 or more in debt, and worrying about how you’re going to pay for books each semester. DON’T PAY PEOPLE TO MAKE YOU WRITE PAPERS AND TAKE TESTS. Go to school for free, or don’t go at all.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Wed, 07 Sep 2011 03:41:24 +0000

I really think its more of if you can, why not. My parents sent three of us to school – all of us became MD’s and are all earning a good living and are all appreciative of what our parents did. Our parents were not super rich, just had enough, and we were taught to prioritize what we did with our money.

By: Parent

Parent — Mon, 20 Jun 2011 08:21:25 +0000

I agree with this article. My husband wants to bankrupt us to pay for college.

By: Chris

Chris — Wed, 01 Jun 2011 18:48:56 +0000

I, along with my 2 sisters and little brother, had our college tuitions paid for by our parents, including books, room and board. My father has never been very wealthy, just very good with is finances. He would never let any of us graduate college with debt, why would he do that to his children if he can help it? I was a bit easier on him since I had the GI Bill and other military benefits, though this money definitely didn’t cover everything for me. We all graduated with outstanding grades. I’m the only on who not attended graduate school. We appreciate everything our parents have done for us and it showed in our school work. My point is you should pay for your kids education if you can, if they don’t appreciate it then what kind of ungrateful kids did you raise. I have a 3 month old boy and I’ve already saved a fifth of his college tuition with money I’ve earned from a great job I got with a college education.

- Thanks Dad, wait till you see what I got you for fathers day.

By: kim

kim — Wed, 04 May 2011 01:01:55 +0000

LOVE IT! Great post

By: kim

kim — Wed, 04 May 2011 00:59:44 +0000

Why do you act like you can’t do this on your own? There are multiple programs you can qualify for without breaking your parents. Trust me you can…I did! Parents can help with some expenses but college should be out of the question. You are on your way to adulthood and debt is a reality.

By: kim

kim — Wed, 04 May 2011 00:57:01 +0000

AMEN to someone who wrote an article that makes complete sense to my husband and I. We are letting our son take the plunge into adulthood at 18 and we will not be paying for the choices of education he makes. Why are more parents not letting their children earn their way??? I think it will make him appreciate and really question what he wants to do and PARTYING will not be an option then…I guarantee that!!!

By: A current student

A current student — Fri, 14 Jan 2011 20:08:55 +0000

I’m 22 and trying to go to a comunity college. My parents have already made it clear that if they could afford to they would pay/help me with collage tuition. As it stands I’m greatful enough that they are letting me live rent free, and I always have food. I lived on my own before I made the choice to go back to school, so I don’t take those things for granted. I know collage cost a lot, and my parents have their own bills, debts, and life to live, so how can I even expect more then what they are currently giving me? I know they can’t afford to either.

But unfortunaly the government does not hold the same perception. Dispite all the reasons my parents shouldn’t have to go thousands of dollars in debt for my education, or maybe couldn’t even if they wanted to, the goverment thinks they should be able to pay those thousands of dollars easily. I’m putting myself through collage, but who knows if I can get any finacial aid since my parents are still around.

Sure it would be nice if students didn’t leave school with vast amounts of debt, but the solution isn’t footing our parents with the bill.

By: Megumi

Megumi — Mon, 06 Sep 2010 01:41:22 +0000

i am a 20 yr old woman and i find it disgusting and appalling that parents snub their children desire for them to finance their endeavor in going to college. We all know that college is expensive but the acquisition of knowledge is an inalienable right of every human. You can not work anywhere(worth working) without a college degree and that parent should feel obliged to aid the being that they brought into the world become a knowledgeable and successful individual. Animals in the lowest form exhibit altruism, that is they give up their existence to further their genetic lineage ( and species), it is sad that they can innately comprehend the visceral need for your progeny and species to succeed but us, so evolved humans, take such a selfish unawe inspiring position on the matter. If you lived your financial life correctly you wouldn’t have to choose between retirement and your children’s future. I am saving for my nephews college fund as they are little and when i have children i will save for them too; as it is an awful unnecessary burden to have to deal with where your next semester tuition is coming from due to the ineptitude of your parents. As far as people saying that children whose parents finance their education lack some sort desired attribute that children who pay for their own college have that again is on a case to case basis on how that child grew up not some kind of generic overview of the populous.

By: Sean Terrell

Sean Terrell — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 17:07:31 +0000

Not a single comment on this post includes the simplest of methods of funding college in the US. there are 2 extremely simple routes that I intend to present to my son.

1) Enlist. the post 911 Montgomery GI bill is crazy. 100% of tuition paid, plus E-5 housing allowance for living expenses. Are you kidding me?
Lets not forget that 47 states offer free tuition at state schools for National Guard Members. That means your kid has to work 1 weekend per month and travel 2 weeks per year, and their school is FREE. This way they make a little cash, have some responsibility, earn college credit while they are at boot camp and in training, get free medical care, and GO TO SCHOOL FOR FREE!!!!! all while working in the field and giving them experience to put on a resume?

2) Go to a Military Academy. YOU GET PAID TO BE IN CLASS?? and then upon graduation you are an OFFICER in the military for 6 years? imagine that get out at 27 with 6 years as a managing officer with a college degree? thats a kid that not EVER going to be worried about getting a good job after getting out.

I am not a recruiter or anything but i did 5 years in the submarine service. I got out with 168 credits, now i am working full time and going to school on my MGIB. I will complete school for a BS in 12 Mos. Its also way easier to actually get paid for the MGIB. you earned it, its not based on need.

By: Knine

Knine — Fri, 18 Jun 2010 14:32:12 +0000

I think it is the parents responsibility to pay for their kid’s education. Parents should save money to help start them off in life. I don’t agree that parenting ends at 18. It is a life long commitment.

By: JF

JF — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 04:27:13 +0000

I didn’t go to college and find myself lost when it comes to helping or understanding the whole college funding process. I thought after a 25 yr marriage “we” would be financially fine to “help” our two go to college. Oops! He found someone new (with four kids). Now, I have -0- to help, my children have moved back home, unemployed, going back to college, 24 and 21 yrs old. I have a mid range income and too much debt from divorce/lifestyle change etc. this debt/income keeps them in a very poor range for loans and grants. Out of luck for $ help from me. Dad is off with his new family. They are looking for work and one is on unemployment. I want to help, but at this point concerned about how I will keep a roof over our heads, food on the table, car insurance paid….school counselors are a joke. I’ve been looking for help and all I find are books for sell with a bunch of promises I know better than to buy. Is there anyone “real” out there to help honest hardworking young adults who don’t need to be taught a lesson in life. We have a real grasp on hard work, honesty, gratitude… We’re not waiting for a handout, I don’t know how to help them help themselves. They need real answers, information, resources.

By: J

Wed, 09 Sep 2009 08:55:04 +0000

Financial Aid $ is based on the parents incomes… And a student can’t be declared as an independent until he’s 24 (in most cases)…So why hold him to a standard that the government doesn’t even hold him/her to ? You are the one who chose to bring children into this world, and if you have a salary that can afford to pay a portion or all of college, you are obligated to do so. The problem with our society is that it is a greedy one. Some parents would rather stash their money away then use it on their children. Same with the government, rather than provide a free education it would rather pour money into the bloated military budget (which many private companies profit from) or other endeavors. Parents who make the it’ll make them work harder speech or the I had it 10X harder speech, I feel sorry for and notice how all of the arguments start off with ‘I’… shouldn’t have too… with that frame in mind maybe you shouldn’t have had kids to begin with. That way you could afford a better quality life (that could fully support the I lifestyle).