College bills, who pays?

[imthebadguy]

mine did, i will for my kids

 

[sonambulo]

Parents sure as hell shouldn't pay for the actual tuition but they definitely should pay for admission fees, kick in some bucks for dorm supplies, help with food, and that's about it.

 

[BoberFett]

Originally posted by: ViRGE
A kid without a college degree is practically a waste in modern society

People like you are the biggest wastes in modern society.

 

[Mo0o]

My parents paid for most of my education although the loans are under my name. It let me focus on my studies rather than work 40 hours a week trying to make ends meet. Not to mention at my school students technically weren't allowed to work more than 20 hours a week.

I guess it's just my asian upbringing but i feel like parents should do all they can to make sure their child goes to the best school possible, even if it means making sacrifices for themselves. So instead of getting a new house or a new car, I'd pay for my child's education.

 

[ViRGE]

Originally posted by: BoberFett

Originally posted by: ViRGE
A kid without a college degree is practically a waste in modern society

People like you are the biggest wastes in modern society.

How so? I make my position on the matter pretty clear: as a kid coming in to the workforce you're undereducated and less desirable to an employer than a kid that did the 4 years to get a degree. A high school education is no longer enough.

 

[slpaulson]

I'm very thankful that my parents paid for almost everything, and I hope I can do the same some day.

 

[Row1and]

my parents help me with mine. They know for a fact i wouldn't survive without their help. I'm lucky that they do!

 

[Special K]

Originally posted by: ViRGE

Originally posted by: BoberFett

Originally posted by: ViRGE
A kid without a college degree is practically a waste in modern society

People like you are the biggest wastes in modern society.

How so? I make my position on the matter pretty clear: as a kid coming in to the workforce you're undereducated and less desirable to an employer than a kid that did the 4 years to get a degree. A high school education is no longer enough.

But, but but... my cousin's dad's friend is a billionaire and he never went to college! Therefore anyone can become a billionaire without going to college! Statistical outliers FTW

 

[NanoStuff]

Didn't go to college, best decision of my life What a financial and life-force drain that would have been. My best friend did, poor bastard, now he's job hopping for 30 grand like a jailhouse bitch like all the other graduates that saturate the entry level job market with the same mediocre qualifications.

 

[Mo0o]

Originally posted by: NanoStuff
Didn't go to college, best decision of my life What a financial and life-force drain that would have been. My best friend did, poor bastard, now he's job hopping for 30 grand like a jailhouse bitch like all the other graduates that saturate the entry level job market with the same mediocre qualifications.

dont generalize your friends ineptitude to all college graduates.

 

[ponyo]

Originally posted by: krunchykrome

Originally posted by: PingSpike

Originally posted by: Naustica

Originally posted by: ViRGE
A kid without a college degree is practically a waste in modern society, and college no longer comes cheap; somehow or another it's in the best interests of everyone if the kid goes to college.

College degree is not the answer to everything. There are many productive and successful people without a college degree and that's not going to change in the future. You're forgetting one big avenue for those who don't want or need college degree: Trades. Demand for skilled tradesmen far outpace the available talent. With so many people today clueless and lazy to build, install, and fix things, skill trades are booming. Just look at the number of handymen services you see today. People in the past wouldn't be caught dead hiring someone to fix simple stuff around the house. Now people don't even know the simple tools in a tool box set.

This is very true. A guy I went to high school with went and got an associates degree in business and then went on to become a jouneyman plumber last I heard. I thought that was an excellent path to take. Plumbers make good money, and they likely always will!

There's his problem.

Most associate degrees are worthless but so are lot of 4 year degrees. You just have to know what's money and what's not. I paid for my sister's college and she only has an associate degree from a community college. But it's in dental hygiene and she's a licensed dental hygienist. Bang for buck for that degree is ridiculous.

 

[jadinolf]

Originally posted by: Randum
Had a conversation the other night with friends-should parents be responsible to pay for their kid's college? Interested to see how everyone feels. If you vote, feel free to add a little blurb on why

I never asked my parents for anything. With six kids, they had nothing to give so I did it alone and it was not easy.

I am ready for ATOTcriticism because I did not pick my parents properly.

 

[Dr. Detroit]

If parents do not want their kids living at home when they are 25 then parents should teach their children right and help them with their college expenses.

Nothing worse than having your kid live at home with you.

 

[yosuke188]

Depends from family to family.

I think if the parents got help from their parents, then they should feel obligated to help their kid in the same manner if possible.

 

[duragezic]

In-state tuition at a regular ol state university is at least $20k per year, just so everyone knows. Unless people were talking about community college with such low numbers?

Tuition and fees has gone up 8-10% EVERY year since I've been here, and that has only been since 2004. I go to Michigan Tech, and am a resident, but just about all of the other "regular" universities are damn near the same, with ones like UofM or Michigan State possibly being higher.

Just got my financial aid info:

Estimated cost (tuition, fees, dorm&food/rent&utils&food, books, etc): $20,879
Awarded aid: Fed unsubsidized $5,500

That estimated cost doesn't include summer school, which is necessary for many to finish in 4yrs as it can be very tough to finish in 4 years/8 semesters, depending a number of factors.

Got to love filling out the FAFSA every year, before the state and fed priority deadlines, and getting jack. How do people get like full or even half rides?? I do know that most of my friends, who are 24 or older, get MUCH more aid (of all types) per year. Rather than having 1/4 of estimated cost covered (like me), I've seen my friend's statements that show 100% or so covered thru various types. The Pell Grant seems to be a favorite of my friends.

Me... well my parents help me out a lot. I don't know how much they have given me or give me a year, or what exactly it is for, but I know they've paid a lot. I'd be screwed big time if I had to do it on my own. I've got $20,000 in loans thus far, and I'll end up with $27k probably by the time I am done, and that is just for a BS. Without my parents, it'd be like 3x that. To help out, I did well in HS and got $5k, have done work study a couple of times, did a well-paying 8 month co-op, and have made the deans list all but once so I got $1,000/yr from the university a couple of times.


It is very hard to do by yourself, especially under 24, and regardless, you'll end up with tons of loans. It was just assumed from as long as I can remember that I'd go to college, and my parents would do everything they could to help pay. I know it is not easy for them. I will repay them in the future in some sort of way.

Out of the friends of mine that have went to college and graduated, versus the ones who didn't after high school... try minimum wage ($7.20 or so per hour) versus $50k or more a year. It's a huge difference. And sure, there are college graduates I know who have a BS but still make minimum wage or not much better. Maybe one HS grad from my class I don't know about rakes in the dollars, but statistically it is not at all even. Even a 2yr or some certificate is FAR better, especially if it is in the trades or health care (CNA and less-than-RN stuff isn't long school but very very good).


BTW, I'd HIGHLY recommend community college for most college-bound peeps. Even a year saves tons of money and makes zero difference with your degree. From what I've heard, the professors/instructors for calc, physics, chem, etc at my university generally suck, yet at community college I had some very nice, smart, and helpful instructors for those classes, and learned more than most learn here.

edit: Also, as one of a million ways to spend money wisely in those 4 years, ORDER BOOKS ONLINE. I swear, some people must be damn stupid to pay $500+ per semester on books. You save at a couple of hundred $ per semester by buying online, buying used locally, or borrowing/renting.

 

[vi edit]

Originally posted by: Naustica

Originally posted by: krunchykrome

Originally posted by: PingSpike

Originally posted by: Naustica

Originally posted by: ViRGE
A kid without a college degree is practically a waste in modern society, and college no longer comes cheap; somehow or another it's in the best interests of everyone if the kid goes to college.

College degree is not the answer to everything. There are many productive and successful people without a college degree and that's not going to change in the future. You're forgetting one big avenue for those who don't want or need college degree: Trades. Demand for skilled tradesmen far outpace the available talent. With so many people today clueless and lazy to build, install, and fix things, skill trades are booming. Just look at the number of handymen services you see today. People in the past wouldn't be caught dead hiring someone to fix simple stuff around the house. Now people don't even know the simple tools in a tool box set.

This is very true. A guy I went to high school with went and got an associates degree in business and then went on to become a jouneyman plumber last I heard. I thought that was an excellent path to take. Plumbers make good money, and they likely always will!

There's his problem.

Most associate degrees are worthless but so are lot of 4 year degrees. You just have to know what's money and what's not. I paid for my sister's college and she only has an associate degree from a community college. But it's in dental hygiene and she's a licensed dental hygienist. Bang for buck for that degree is ridiculous.

:thumbsup:

There are several health care oriented professions that can earn very comfortable wages on a 2 year associates program. There are a lot of radiology techs, respiratory therapists and nurses out there with only 2 years of college classes under their belt.

 

[NanoStuff]

Originally posted by: Mo0o

Originally posted by: NanoStuff
Didn't go to college, best decision of my life What a financial and life-force drain that would have been. My best friend did, poor bastard, now he's job hopping for 30 grand like a jailhouse bitch like all the other graduates that saturate the entry level job market with the same mediocre qualifications.

dont generalize your friends ineptitude to all college graduates.

Successful or not, I still consider all of you the system's bitches.

 

[Special K]

Originally posted by: NanoStuff

Originally posted by: Mo0o

Originally posted by: NanoStuff
Didn't go to college, best decision of my life What a financial and life-force drain that would have been. My best friend did, poor bastard, now he's job hopping for 30 grand like a jailhouse bitch like all the other graduates that saturate the entry level job market with the same mediocre qualifications.

dont generalize your friends ineptitude to all college graduates.

Successful or not, I still consider all of you the system's bitches.

If we are doing something we enjoy that pretty much requires the education, I fail to see how we are the "system's bitches".

 

[fleshconsumed]

I'm amazed how many people think it's parents responsibility to see their kids through college.

Should parents be responsible for seeing their kids through college no matter what? Heck no.
Should parents be morally responsible for helping kids through college? No.
Would it be nice if they did help kid through college? Definitely, especially with the college costs skyrocketing in the past 5 years.


There are many different scenarios. Sure parents might have enough money to pay for college in the bank account, but what if those are their retirement money, would you still support paying kids through college? Kids will have their entire life to pay off the debts, retirement money are gone once they are gone. Even if parents had ability to foot 100% of the bill I would still be against it because that wouldn't teach kids any financial responsibility.


As for my part, my dad paid about 60% of college tuition, I paid the rest. He also lent me money to buy my first car which I repaid just now.


I don't have kids, but if and when I do they will not be getting free ride. Depending on how much money I have saved and their grades/workload through semester/chosen degree I will help out, but they will be expected to contribute to some degree in any case. If they chose liberal arts degree, well, they are just gonna have to pay it in full for themselves because I wouldn't be forking out big money for a useless degree. If they chose viable degree depending on the workload and their grades I will be willing to help out. The more courses they take during semester and the better their grades will be the more I will be willing to help out. If they are getting C's or they are only studying part time they will be expected to work and pay as much as they can, etc, etc, etc, etc...

 

[Mo0o]

Originally posted by: fleshconsumed
I'm amazed how many people think it's parents responsibility to see their kids through college.

Should parents be responsible for seeing their kids through college no matter what? Heck no.
Should parents be morally responsible for helping kids through college? No.
Would it be nice if they did help kid through college? Definitely, especially with the college costs skyrocketing in the past 5 years.


There are many different scenarios. Sure parents might have enough money to pay for college in the bank account, but what if those are their retirement money, would you still support paying kids through college? Kids will have their entire life to pay off the debts, retirement money are gone once they are gone. Even if parents had ability to foot 100% of the bill I would still be against it because that wouldn't teach kids any financial responsibility.


As for my part, my dad paid about 60% of college tuition, I paid the rest. He also lent me money to buy my first car which I repaid just now.


I don't have kids, but if and when I do they will not be getting free ride. Depending on how much money I have saved and their grades/workload through semester/chosen degree I will help out, but they will be expected to contribute to some degree in any case. If they chose liberal arts degree, well, they are just gonna have to pay it in full for themselves because I wouldn't be forking out big money for a useless degree. If they chose viable degree depending on the workload and their grades I will be willing to help out. The more courses they take during semester and the better their grades will be the more I will be willing to help out. If they are getting C's or they are only studying part time they will be expected to work and pay as much as they can, etc, etc, etc, etc...

I disagree. I think parents are responsible for giving their children the best opportunities in life possible. If that means shelling out the money to go to an ivy league school as oppose to the kid paying for community college by themselves, it's worth it. Then on the reverse, I think the child should support the parents once they go into retirement. Of course this is assuming the child is responsible and will make the most out of the opportunities provided to him/her

 

[Mo0o]

Originally posted by: NanoStuff

Originally posted by: Mo0o

Originally posted by: NanoStuff
Didn't go to college, best decision of my life What a financial and life-force drain that would have been. My best friend did, poor bastard, now he's job hopping for 30 grand like a jailhouse bitch like all the other graduates that saturate the entry level job market with the same mediocre qualifications.

dont generalize your friends ineptitude to all college graduates.

Successful or not, I still consider all of you the system's bitches.

I guess so. I tried being a doctor without becoming a bitch to the US education system but those coat hanger abortions just weren't payin the bills.

 

[Bateluer]

Nope, its the young adult's responsibility to provide for their own college. They are 18, legal adults, and responsible for their own way in the world. In no way, shape, or form should the parent be obligated to pay for their children's college.

However, wise parents will have taken steps to provide for their children's future/education and will help out within reason.

People tend to work harder when they are paying their own way.

 

[fleshconsumed]

Originally posted by: Mo0o

Originally posted by: fleshconsumed
I'm amazed how many people think it's parents responsibility to see their kids through college.

Should parents be responsible for seeing their kids through college no matter what? Heck no.
Should parents be morally responsible for helping kids through college? No.
Would it be nice if they did help kid through college? Definitely, especially with the college costs skyrocketing in the past 5 years.


There are many different scenarios. Sure parents might have enough money to pay for college in the bank account, but what if those are their retirement money, would you still support paying kids through college? Kids will have their entire life to pay off the debts, retirement money are gone once they are gone. Even if parents had ability to foot 100% of the bill I would still be against it because that wouldn't teach kids any financial responsibility.


As for my part, my dad paid about 60% of college tuition, I paid the rest. He also lent me money to buy my first car which I repaid just now.


I don't have kids, but if and when I do they will not be getting free ride. Depending on how much money I have saved and their grades/workload through semester/chosen degree I will help out, but they will be expected to contribute to some degree in any case. If they chose liberal arts degree, well, they are just gonna have to pay it in full for themselves because I wouldn't be forking out big money for a useless degree. If they chose viable degree depending on the workload and their grades I will be willing to help out. The more courses they take during semester and the better their grades will be the more I will be willing to help out. If they are getting C's or they are only studying part time they will be expected to work and pay as much as they can, etc, etc, etc, etc...

I disagree. I think parents are responsible for giving their children the best opportunities in life possible. If that means shelling out the money to go to an ivy league school as oppose to the kid paying for community college by themselves, it's worth it. Then on the reverse, I think the child should support the parents once they go into retirement. Of course this is assuming the child is responsible and will make the most out of the opportunities provided to him/her

Parents are not responsible and the sooner they stop treating their kid like a child the better. Let the kid adjust to real life as soon as possible. My biggest opposition to footing 100% of the bill would be that kids will accept easy money and will not learn the sacrifice their parents made to made it possible. They will never learn how hard it is to start on your own from zero (I didn't have to, and I'm grateful for that for my dad, even if I don't like to admit it in the open), how hard it is to save another dollar a day, take out mortgage for a house, worry about job and at the same time save for both retirement and their kids college, and thus they are less likely to be financially responsible. That's why I don't want to pay 100% tuition for my future kids. I will help as much as I can depending on my own financial situation and how responsible my kids will be in regard to college education, but they will not be getting full ride, it's for their own good.

 

[oiprocs]

I think they should help as a co-signer for you to get approved for loans.

When you graduate, I don't see anything wrong with a $10K gift to help ease the cost of the loans. But they should not pay it all.

If you pay for school yourself, you learn real fast the value of money and you don't blow it like it grows on trees. Although I wish it did.

 

[kitkat22]

I believe in paying for the first year and then help along the way, only when necessary. Kids should take responsibility for their own lives/debts/education/careers.