Is it parents' responsibility to pay for kids' college?

[Andrew NDB]

http://www.allthefrugalladies.com/frugalladies/uploads/2014/06/parents-no-money.jpg

Is it really the responsibility of the parents to pay for their children's college when they grow up? Why or why not?

[FredWolfLeonardo]

I would say yes, but only if the parents have good reasons to believe that said path in College would lead to their child's future career prospects being fruitful.

Also, I believe it would be a kid's responsibility to work hard towards their paid for education.

[CyberCubed]

Isn't this expected? I went to College almost for free, but my parents always said they saved up money for me to use for it.

Unless you're working a part time job, there's no way anyone can afford College at only 18-22. When you're that young what kind of money do you expect to have in the bank?

[tmntfannumerouno]

Are you trying to imply that government should foot the bill? If you are then that's bs too

[Katie]

I paid for my own. Worked full time through both my undergraduate and graduate degrees. I come from a poor family. If I wanted better I had to do it myself. So I did.

[Andrew NDB]

Are you trying to imply that government should foot the bill? If you are then that's bs too

No. Not at all.

[FredWolfLeonardo]

I was expecting most of the poll to be in the No :lol:

Where's the individualism everyone?

[ProphetofGanja]

Honestly I don't even know if a college education is worth it anymore. I feel like the American public education system has been so watered down over the years that now colleges have to teach things that should have already been learned. It can be a valuable life experience in itself but it can also be the perfect opportunity to waste a lot of money.

If parents want their child to go, then it would make sense for them to pay for it. If the child isn't sure they want to go then the parents probably shouldn't force it. The child can take time to make a decision and go later if they want.

[Jester]

Really up to the parents. If they choose to create a college fund, good for them. If they feel their kid should work through school or use loans, their prerogative....that is of course if college is needed for their future. Maybe a trade school is a better option.

[Utrommaniac]

The trouble with that the majority of jobs in America now require a college education.

As for if the parents should pay for it or not, it's not a "yes or no" question. It's a situation that's up to the family. Everyone has different needs and for many, it's a better option. Likewise for others, it's not.

[triplexxx]

The trouble with that the majority of jobs in America now require a college education.
Well maybe that's just the problem, either the HR departments are worried about the type/amount of sheepskins or the amount of past experience/history one has, if it's not one it's the other. The point is they spend too much time focusing on a person's profile than if the person can actually do the job or not, maybe it's their priorities that need to change. And no matter how many sheepskins one has under their belt, or none at all, either way they have to start from the bottom & work their way up.
My belief, many (governments included) should stop spending so much on non-applicable formalized ed altogether, and focus more on training programs.

[newfan]

I can't answer a straight yes for no, some parents can't afford it and aren't going to be able to cover all the costs, however I'd think they would still help as much as they could, depending if the child would put in the effort. If the parents can afford it and the child will put in the effort, yes, well, at least for a good part anyway.

Ideally I would expect to be paying a good part or most of the fees for my children if I can, I wouldn't want to see them stuck with massive student loans and having to work too many hours whilst trying to study. I'd expect them to take a little responsibility though, they need appreciate that they have to make an effort too and not be expected to be handed everything.

[Candy Kappa]

This question is so alien and weird cause here in Norway, public primary, secondary and tertiary education is free (tertiary might have a semester fee you have to pay for yourself).

But in a country that don't invest or care in their youth and education, I'd expect a parent would take a precaution early in the child's life to set up a education fond so that the child have the necessary funds for future education. And if the child finds stable livelihood without paying for education those money would give the child a good start at their independence anyway such as money for a vehicle, home or investments of sorts.

That said, not everyone have the luxury of setting aside a sum for saving. Like I know my mom would have had some serious issues saving up a education funds for me, being a single mom working several jobs to make ends meet.

[Shark_Blade]

Yes, the teenagers should focus on their study not struggling to pay college.

[Andrew NDB]

I think something like...

If you're upper class, yeah, you should definitely set aside at least enough to ensure the kids have college "taken care of." Plus, if the parents make too much money, the kids are ineligible to receive most grants/scholarships anyway.

Where it gets muddy is with middle to lower class families that are struggling. If after bills, mortgage, and all of that... is it really on them to also set aside tens of thousands of dollars for a college tuition the kids may not even end up needing or wanting?

And nobody wants school loans haunting the kids... but whether the kid isn't paying for it with them or spending some time in the military to pay for it (or any one of a few different options available)... then it's the parents' forking over their own money for it, isn't it? It's not like this money isn't burdening anybody or it's just money laying around. Maybe Mama Betty hands over $30,000 to pay for Little Betty's tuition and the next month, now she's got no money to pay for Mama Betty's quadruple bypass surgery. You know what I mean?

Though above anything and everything, I'd really love to take a really long and hard look at how and why college education costs as much as it does nowadays. I'm not certain how it can be justified that college tuition, books, etc., have risen up about 3000% since about the '70s. It used to be kids could work a summer job and put themselves through college... now that's completely unthinkable.

[FredWolfLeonardo]

I think an interesting question would be whether parents should pay for degrees with questionable career prospects such the Liberal Arts.

[Candy Kappa]

I think an interesting question would be whether parents should pay for degrees with questionable career prospects such the Liberal Arts.

What's wrong with theater, mathematics and religious studies?

[Sumac]

Yes, they should.

Kids have not decided to be brought in this world, it was decision of their parents, hence they take responsibility for the well being of their kids.

[Prowler]

What's wrong with theater, mathematics and religious studies?
Naturally not every degree is gonna have the smae demand out there... but I don't get why so many people think only Engineering, Medical and Law degrees are worth pursuing. I mean, if everyone was an engineer, a doctor or a lawyer... who'd do every other job on Earth? Also, many people don't want to be doctors, lawyers or engineers.

Dunno if that's FWL's case, but people who have this kind of mentality tend to be engineering students, who believe anyone who isn't an engineer is an idiot who made a wrong career choice in life.

[FredWolfLeonardo]

I don't mean in that sense, but in the sense that a young person really wants to do something they love but the parents know the future career prospects are extremely difficult.

What would be a reasonable solution in this case?

[newfan]

I don't mean in that sense, but in the sense that a young person really wants to do something they love but the parents know the future career prospects are extremely difficult.

What would be a reasonable solution in this case?

but you'd not be letting them choose their path, they'd be stuck doing a degree in a subject they have no interest in and/or find, potentially.

[Prowler]

I don't mean in that sense, but in the sense that a young person really wants to do something they love but the parents know the future career prospects are extremely difficult.

What would be a reasonable solution in this case?

That depends on the parent. Some parents just let their kids pick their own paths. Others want their kids to follow in their footsteps... so many families I've met where every male was a doctor or an engineer.

I think humanities and art degrees are mostly a developed country thing, though. People from poorer countries want their kids to become doctors or something. Humanities and arts are more common in Europe, USA, Japan, etc.

[mrmaczaps]

See lots of "yes... because... kids....".

18 is an adult. If you, as an adult, choose to go to college, find a way to get there. Loans, scholarships or whatever it takes.

Also, middle and lower class families may not be able to afford to send their adult kid to college. My folks couldn't affors it, but also pushed college on me. I paid for my two years by way of insane federal loans. Didn't put that schooling to use as I didn't much care for working nights, holidays and weekends...

Other side of things that I see is all the liberal brainwasing that happens in college today... and all the drunken parties that people attend. Why pay all that money when you can sit you 18 year old in front of CNN with a box of wine or a case of Bud and they'd "learn" the same thing.... :lol:

Parents don't OWE their kids a college education. Most that can, do because they want a better life for them.

[IndigoErth]

Agree it's not really a yes or no question, just depends on the family. Though imo... if you decided to bring them into the world, in this day and age when college is pretty much a must for most and costs an absurd amount, then at least be wise enough to prepare to be able to help out to the extent that you are able, OR at the very least become knowledgeable enough and willing to put in the leg work to help them find the funding they need in order to have the best chance they can get.


Though if a parent is going to be indifferent and not attempt to help in any sense or as little as they can possibly be bothered with, then they should probably forfeit any right to be disappointed if their kid doesn't get very far in life. (And don't get too much of an ego if he or she does get far on their own.)


My parents pretty much saw community college as the best option and "good enough," because the more important part to them was the cost to them, not the education... Today I wish I could have gone to a good art school, though the cost made it out of reach and one out of state would not have even been allowed... When I was in high school I fully believed that scholarships were only for people who were better students, more talented, higher achieving, or races that needed a leg up. I wish I knew differently, but no one even gave a crap to try to help me understand it or look into that...

Not to put down the community college I went to. For what is it, it is a very decent one and a great choice for some people. It however just wasn't enough of what I really needed.

[Sumac]

Parents don't OWE their kids a college education. Most that can, do because they want a better life for them.
Sure, mate.

It's like all kids start with the same good financial situation and help of government to get money for their own education. And it's like parents aren't supposed to support their kids. But what do I know?

It's a cruel dog-eat-dog world, why we need to support our loved ones? Kick them out of the door and let them pick up trash for money and eat garbage. It'll certainly will make'em stronger and more mentally healthy people!! Might as well punch them few times to make them even more stronger!!
Delusions of love and care - such liberal non-sense, right? :x

[GoldMutant]

It really all depends on the wealth of the family and the situation.

My family and I are far from wealthy. When my sister graduated and went to college while I was in grade school, our parents helped her out. However, I am now about to be in the same position as her, only with one parent and barely any money because my mother stole it.

I already know I plan on staying in-state because the governor is doing a two-year plan beginning with 2017 or 2018 for free. Might as well get my general education done before I hopefully move out of state. That way, I have some more money from work.

[Andrew NDB]

Where do you guys come down on child support for college? Apparently in most/all states, if you're the non-custodial parent and the kid(s) goes to college at 18 or 19 as an adult, you have to pay added child support for that for 4 more years.

[FredWolfLeonardo]

Where do you guys come down on child support for college? Apparently in most/all states, if you're the non-custodial parent and the kid(s) goes to college at 18 or 19 as an adult, you have to pay added child support for that.

I'm for it regardless of the custodial status, as long as the parent paying is the father and the said degree is economically viable.

[ProphetofGanja]

I'm for it regardless of the custodial status, as long as the parent paying is the father and the said degree is economically viable.

Why would the parent's gender matter?

[Andrew NDB]

Child support for an adult doesn't seem a little bit... oxymoronic to anyone? I'm just curious.

[ProphetofGanja]

That does some a bit strange, that was news to me. I feel like giving a college-age child a small allowance while they're in school is a good thing to do but I don't really feel like the state should mandate it

[FredWolfLeonardo]

Why would the parent's gender matter?

Because I believe fathers have a special responsibility to ensure financial well being of the family, regardless of how rich the mother may be.

[Andrew NDB]

Because I believe fathers have a special responsibility to ensure financial well being of the family, regardless of how rich the mother may be.

That... seems very backwards. So if the father has full parental custody and the mother has 0, the mother is just off the hook by your logic?

[ProphetofGanja]

Yeah that just seems needlessly chauvinistic to me

[FredWolfLeonardo]

That... seems very backwards. So if the father has full parental custody and the mother has 0, the mother is just off the hook by your logic?

I believe parental custody should always be given to women save for extreme circumstances and that they and their children are entitled to full financial compensation by the father.

[Sage Ninja]

Umm...no...**** that logic...

[ProphetofGanja]

Yeah, that's dumb. I've dealt with a lot of custody cases through work and applying that line of reasoning would be disastrous.

[newfan]

Regarding the conflicting views on age, your 18 year old is legally an adult yes and whilst it is important that they learn independence for adult life they are still only just adults and just starting out in life. College has become less of a choice and very expensive, also those who don't go down that route can barely afford to get their own place with whatever job they get. Supporting your 18-year-old is not the same as your 40-year-old deciding they want to do a PHd and expect you to pay the bill. As a lot have pointed out, a lot of parents can't take a bill that big but helping how you can? I couldn't watch mine struggle like that and help if I was able.

[Andrew NDB]

As a lot have pointed out, a lot of parents can't take a bill that big but helping how you can? I couldn't watch mine struggle like that and help if I was able.

But should the government force you to do so regardless?

[newfan]

But should the government force you to do so regardless?

I seem to have misunderstood the question, I thought it was from a moral 'ought to' point of view. Are you talking generally or from the maintenance point you made previously?

So far as it being law goes, 18-year-olds are legally adults and so parents no-longer have custody of them, also college isn't mandatory. Can you make people with no money pay thousands in fees also?
That being said your 18-year-old isn't likely to be self sufficient over night so in some way or another the parent/s will still be supporting them until they are, few are just going to chuck out their child once they reach that age. As for college, though not the law to go, there is less choice these days and it would be very hard for them to go and make a start in life without help.

[Roseangelo]

What's wrong with theater, mathematics and religious studies?

Mathematics and religious studies are not liberal arts.

Some examples of liberal arts:
Humanities - English Literature, Modern Languages, History, and Philosophy.
Social Sciences - Anthropology, Economics, Geography, Political Science, and Sociology.
Creative Arts - Fine Art, Theatre, Speech, and Creative Writing.

The problem with your typical liberal arts degrees is that they are virtually worthless in the sense of the return you get based on how much money you invest to get them. You'll be lucky to make a living wage, let alone enough to actually live comfortably and pay of your pile of student dept.

My major was in English/Linguistics, and I am pretty lucky to actually be working in a position that uses that degree. It took a lot of time and work to get in, though. And I only got sort of "comfortable" with money within the last couple of years. Still not enough to be able to do a whole lot extra outside of the cost of living, though.

Unfortunately, the role of the parents in paying for a degree is largely going to be determined by class. My parents threw some money at my schooling, but there was no account set aside for me, and I was stuck with the loan payments at the end. I kind of never bothered to try to get into anything better than a nearby state school, because I knew my parents would never pay for it.

If anything, I wish they would have supported me going to the school of my choice instead of guilting me since birth about the cost of anything and everything. If the parents truly can't put up any money towards school, it should at least be a collaborative effort between the parents and the student to make it possible for them to go to the best school for what they want to do.

If a student doesn't know what they want to do, then they should be doing two years of community college before transferring to a four-year school. But if the student has shown an ability and a drive for a specific goal, be a good parent and help them get there.