Is paying for college a parent's responsibility or the child's? I'm curious what others think. My parents paid for some of my college, but a lot of it I am paying back in student loans. Saving money for my daughter for college isn't really one of my priorities at this point- probably because I paid for most of my own and have never had a problem with it.|||As a society I think it's been drilled into parents' heads that we should pay for college, but I don't really feel that way. Yes, it's nice to contribute, but to pay for $30,000 a year (or will be that way in 10-18 years) for 4 years when you are still paying a mortgage is crazy. I once read that while setting aside money in a college fund is good, put more into your own savings. The reason is that your child is still young and can take out loans and work to pay for college. As an aging middle-aged person you are nearing retirement and need all the money you can get because you can't work while you're 85 trying to pay your bills. It makes sense. I would LOVE to pay for my child's college education, but like many other Americans it's just not financially possible.|||I feel that it is my responsiblity as a parent to make sure that my children recieve the education they need to fulfill their requirements for whatever career they choose. Whether that be beauty school, juco, or a four year college, I will leave up to them. If the situation so happens that I cannot afford that at the time, then I will certainly help them to the best of my ability, including helping them pay back whatever loans they may have to take out. I have started my oldest son's savings account already, and I intend to start my other two children's accounts within the next couple of months. They are 5, 6, and 8.|||No, I feel no obligation to pay for it, nor can I afford to. I know a lot of people scrimp and save from the time thier children are born to pay for their college, but they should be putting that money into their own retirement and general savings for things that come up.
People need to find thier own means to pay for their education, it will mean more and it teaches them to persevere and work hard and that they are responsible for their own way in life.
Of course if a family is very very well off and paying for their childrens education is easily acheived then I guess they should pay, but I'd still rather them leave it to their kids to find a way to pay for it...through working and student loans.|||"Experts" in finance and money feel that you should save for your own retirement before you save for your child's education because they can get a scholarship, grants, loans, etc. Our future needs will be here before theirs. I have opened a 529 college fund for my grandson (I skipped kids) because my parents told me they would cover 2 yrs of college, but it fell thru due to unemployment and layoffs of my father. So college didn't happen and even though they were unemployed they made too much on their last return so I couldn't get aid and no one would do a loan for me at that time. I have unresolved feelings because I wanted to go so badly then life happened so I want to make sure my grandson can go to college if he wants and if he doesn't, the money converts to a Roth IRA for me.|||I am happy to pay for college tuition, because I'd rather them be able to concentrate fully on school without having to work a full time job.
But if they want to help pay for it that's fantastic. My 15yo has a part time job and she puts money away to contribute to her college tuition, and I'll hope all my kids have the intuitive and maturity to do the same.
Even if you just put away $5 a week, that will be a lot of money by the time your daughter is 18. It could help her out with college, or a car or a deposit on a house!
I think it's very admirable to put yourself through college-it takes a lot of hard work. But as long as my kids are prepared to work hard, love what they are doing, and hopefully work part time then I'm prepared to pay for college.
:)|||I don't feel obligated at all to pay our children's way through college.
We have to think about our own life savings before we can go broke on trying to pay $20+K a year for college (twice!). We will give our kids a roof over their head and food to eat, but otherwise they'd better get the grades! It's either scholarships, grants or student loans for them. We just can't afford to put them through college, even if we started saving now.
My parents paid for my college and for my siblings, but they had the inheritance from my dad's parents passing away. That's the only reason they were able to pay for our college education.|||Erm. I think you should help out your child. College is expensive. And I do not think it is fair to cripple young students with loans. I mean they have hardly any money as it is.
If you can afford to help out then I think you should.
People say it is up to the child, but really I think it is hypocritical to push your child through the normal school system and then when they get to college just be like, meh, your old enough pay for it yourself.
Of course, if your child can afford to help to, then by all means, they should. But I still think parents if they can afford it should help to.|||I don't think a parent is obligated to pay for the child's college. I think it is a wonderful thing to do if a parent can afford it. I also think it's nice to help out. There is no way we will be able to pay for two college educations, so what we are doing is putting away money here and there for the boys. We hope they will get jobs when they are old enough and will save money for themselves.|||You know, I'm glad you brought this up! I don't know why parents today are like 'omg I have to pay for my kid's college fund, what will I do???'. My parents didn't pay for my college - I went and got a student loan, graduated, got a job, and am now paying my student loan off. I never expected my parents to pay for my college education! I mean, by the time you're in college, you're an adult - time to start taking care of yourself.|||I don't really think that it is a parents responsibility to pay for college. They are adults at that point. I had to pay for my own college and I was glad that I had to. I worked harder to get good grades because I didn't want to waste my money. My parents paid for my sister to go and she dropped out after a year.
I am saving some money right now for my daughter's college and I will hopefully be able to help her out once the time comes. I will let her live at home if she wants so she doesn't have to pay for rent, food, etc.|||I don't feel obligated but it's something I think is important. I never want my children to feel discouraged when it comes to college. I don't want money to be their concern at that point. They will have so many years where they'll have to be worrying about and dealing with money. I want to help them as much as I possibly can when it comes to college.|||wow! this crossed my mind a time or two. well, i had to pay for my college expenses by takin out loans 4 myself.. i feel like it's unfair for the child to have to develop bad credit fresh out of high school... i think if the parents aren't fincailly able to pay for their childrens college. the least they could do is take out loans for their children. another, thing i believe that it would be a great idea if you start saving for your childs education for the simple fact that the expenses for college for the next 18 years is increasing at a dramatic rate! good luck!|||My father paid for most of my school when I went, before I dropped out. He only did so because he had money. I dont plan on paying for my childrens college, but am supplying them with an education fund. I put $25 a month into it. If they decide to not go to school, then me and my husband are going to keep it.|||If you have the money, and will be able to take care of yourself without the money, then it's nice for parents to contribute to their child's education. But if you don't have the money to, then you shouldn't feel guilty about not being able to pay for it.|||My parents paid for my bachelor's degree, with the exception of $1000 and I gladly paid that when I got a good job and could afford it. I haven't been diligent in saving for my son's education so far, but I would like to be able to pay for his education.|||i think it is. but i guess i think that because my parents paid for my education. If i ever have children, I will pay for their education.|||I'm with you. My parents helped when they could but for the most part it has been up to me to pay for and the same will go for my son.|||I feel that it is...or to at least do as much as we possibly can. I feel it is one of the final responsibilities as a parent to a child|||My stepson is the dream college student. The kind of kid where I know I'm going to get a return on that dollar, you know? Motivated, applied, and if this isn't expensive enough we've got med school after that.
I always said no: Your college, your debt. But now that I'm walking that mile it's different. I do feel obligated. At the same time, Mr. Mozz and I live week to week like everyone else, and have my own list of debt. We had a talk a long time ago, that Dad and I will help where we can, but you need to keep your name clean and get student loans. We added that as part of the deal - you have to apply for SEVERAL scholarships EVERY semester (shows motivation, family assistance, appreciation, discipline, value of a dollar - I could go on and on.) He also has to maintain his GPA and remain employed between breakout sessions. We pay for his books, fees, and I have a benefit from where I work. I also took over his cell phone bill. The loan captures the rest of the tuition, his meal plan and housing. He pays for his car/luxuries, his laptop/supplies, and school supplies.
I also have a stepdaughter who does nothing to apply herself in college, as evidenced in her high school grades, attendance, party life and now a police record. With her, we took it to court. We're not cheapskates or bad people. As I said, it's a pleasure to pay for my son's college. With her I'll get no return on that dollar, it's being blown away.|||my parents paid for my brothers university
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