Do you think parents should pay for their childrens college education?

I don't think there's a hard and fast rule about this. It depends on each family's situation.

My parents put me through college, and I'm incredibly grateful for the help they gave me. I know others who worked their way through college, perhaps they were more serious or appreciative of their education than I was, who knows?

In any case, we're planning to help our children out with their college education. However, given our income level and the number of children we have, I doubt that we will be able to finance their entire education.

Don't get me started on this. LEARNING is NEVER a waste of ANYTHING. I absolutely cringe when I hear these kinds of statements. Expanding one's mind and gaining new life experiences is wonderful. I would have absolutely NO problem with paying for 4 years of college for my daughter if she never earned a single penny from it.

I never used my degree, but by going to university, I learned about learning... and taught myself how to write code, and spent 10 years making twice the national average salary. I would have never done that if I hadn't learned how to learn at university.

We aren't paying for our kids' college educations. We *do* pay them $1K per semester if they kept a 3.5 grade point average, and are enrolled in an accredited school, and are taking classes toward a degree. We're not prepared to send money to professional students with no direction.

Alternatively, they can choose to live at home and we will feed and house them if they are enrolled full time in an accredited school and taking classes toward a degree. Otherwise they are expected to pay us for room and board.

My parents didn't pay for my education. I went to a private college and graduated summa cum laude and debt free. I had grants and scholarships, and I worked.

I disagree with those people who think kids working their way through college don't do as well as their peers because they're working to put food on the table instead of working on their grades. My good grades were what got me my scholarships. Studying hard ensured that next semester's tuition, room, and board would be paid for.

I was shocked at the party attitude of the kids who started school on Mom and Dad's dime. The majority of them flunked out the first semester, many more went on academic probation. They felt like they had to be at every party.

If my kids want a college education, they'll get one. If they don't want it bad enough to get it, then I'm sure not paying for it.

__________________
Our homestead-in-the-making: Palazzo Rospo
Eating the dream

I have given both daughters the spring break rule. You won't be going on my dime and if they have enough of their "own" money, it will go towards college expenses. What a lot of folks don't realize is tuition, room and board, and books can average $16K in-state. Even if a lesser amount, FTE at a minimum wage ($5.25 but is increasing a bit) job grosses $10,710.00. After ss/medicare, you have $9890.00. And if you are claiming them as a dependent, the student will have federal tax liability of appr. $475. State tax varies. So $9415 per year (if no state tax) which is not a lot of money.

__________________
Beware of radical christians: http://listverse.com/2015/03/22/10-p...e-for-america/

My youngest son graduated from Drexel University in 2004..he applied for and got numerous grants and yes, he rowed his own boat as far as student loans. I helped him with the cost of books. That young man worked two jobs while going full time to college..in high school he had the work ethic of a sloth..if he had applied himself in high school, he would have gotten a full 4 year scholarship. Some kiddoes need to learn the hard way. He ended up at the top of his class and now at 26 tells me how PROUD he is of all of that hard work in order to achieve what HE wanted to do..I'm extremely proud of him..IMHO, it's important to have young people work hard for what they want..people value more what they've worked for..just my two cents.

While I agree that college is expensive these days, I don't see why people are stuck on the "4 year" deal. Is there some unwritten rule I don't know about that says a person has to have their degree in "4" years???

So college is more expensive, maybe a student will need to work and attend school for 6 years instead of 4....

Actually, most kids don't graduate in 4 years.

The norm down here is about 25% graduating in 4 years, and about 68% graduating in 5. After that, the percentages play down pretty fast.

Paid my own way for 6 years of school. I was making good money (6 figures) so offered to pay kids way if they kept at least a B average. Neither kid liked school and needless to say, both dropped out after 1st year. Told them I'd only offer once and that was it. One son has a good managerial job and other is treading water, but decided to go to trade school. Now he's paying his own way and I hope he does better since it's his "dime" now. Looking back, I wish I had gone to a trade school instead of a traditional college. I ended up burnt out in my 40's from all the hours and stress. Now I'm working, but for half the salary (my choice - no staff to manage) and homesteading. Boy that electrical/carpentry trade would have come in a lot more handy right now instead of that business degree!

__________________
"I've learned that you shouldn't go through life with a catcher's mitt on both hands; you need to be able to throw some things back..." Maya Angelou

Well I guess that depends on the child. I had one child that didn't really want to be at college, we paid for one term and he didn't show up to most classes, he was cut off of funds, then there is the second son, determinded to get a good education. We pay his way, because he wants it and working takes away form the school work he needs to do. The youngest is hoping for scholarships in his last 2 years but if he dosen't get them, I hope we can get him though college without the baggage of student loans. It was hard enough for me to pay off student loans when I paid $2000.00 per year and now the tuition is $8000.00-9000.00 per year, not counting books.

I retired just when we returned stateside, a few months later our eldest son was accepted at college and since I was already on pension, he qualified nicely for full scholarships.

Not bad for a 16 year old!

If I had the money, I would. But since I'm cash poor, my daughter quailifies for financial aid and scholarships based on income and on grades. She's an excellent student. I wouldn't put myself into a hole trying to pay for it. If she wanted to get loans in her name, she could, but I wuold discourage it. I would have her work and save and pay for it.

__________________
Sometimes the last minute is the best one.