Did your parents help pay for college?

[RobinFinderson]

My parents helped me in one way, and only one way. They agreed to contribute to my college savings an amount of money equal to whatever I personally saved. They did the same for my mission. So I paid for half my mission and half my college, and left BYU with no educational debt, because I worked my ass off during the summer, and did student work during the school year (I taught math in the math lab).

So, question for others, do you consider it an obligation to help your kids pay for college?

Here is something to think about... knowing that I would have to pay for the bulk of my education (I financed my graduate education with student loans), I worked very hard so that I would have the grades to qualify for scholarships. During most of my time at BYU, the University was paying for me to be there (scholarships covered tuition AND books). My savings were only going toward food and housing. My grades were extremely important to me, because my scholarships depended on them. For example, when I tested at a B level in Spanish, after my mission, I had to reject all of those credits, because they would have ruined my scholarship. One time I even took a class a second time during the summer break to boost a B to an A. BYU's academic scholarships are basically full tuition for straight A's, and half tuition for A's and B's. I left BYU with a 3.98 GPA, and walked into the Ivy League with a full tuition scholarship. Much of that probably wouldn't have happened if my parents were paying for my education.

Anyhow, answer the poll!

[MarkGrace]

My parents paid for my first semester back from my mission and that was about it. I intend on paying all my kids expenses for school as long as I am financially able.

[thesaint258]

My parents covered anything I couldn't, but I was expected to do all I could first. I had a job all through school to pay for things, but I didn't make enough to cover all of my expenses. My parents were kind enough to help out, and with their help, I graduated without any debt. If I ever get kids, I'll help them out in the same way.

[landpoke]

I admire those who worked their way through college, but I admire the individual not the situation.

[Surfah]

My parents said they'd pay for all of my college if I went to BYU. They helped quite a bit, but after my freshman year I worked PT pretty much throughout. And once I qualified for Pell grants they no longer paid for much aside from coming to my rescue after some "Mom I am in a pinch" phone calls.

[pellegrino]

My parents didn't pay a dime for my tuition or school expenses, but they did allow me to live at home and they paid for my car insurance as I was still on their policy. Not much, but I would have had to work a lot more or go into a lot more debt to finish my undergrad, so I'm grateful.

I don't know that I'll be in a position to help my kids, but I'd like to help them some how. Stay tuned for further developments.

[marsupial]

Danimal and I have opposite answers so we're going to be running into some issues when this time arrives.

[New Mexican Disaster]

My parents would have helped more if my father had not died. My mom always paid for my books from undergrad, through graduate school and into law school, but she was never able to pay for tuition. I really appreciated her helping me. I know it was a sacrifice for her.

I hope to help my kids as much as possible, but I will be paying for my, and my wife's education for the next couple of decades. Hopefully things will improve for us enough to help the kids.

[EuropeanFootballMale]

No.

[Donuthole]

My parents were unable to provide me any financial help towards my college education. I don't fault them at all for this. I plan to be in a financial position to pay for my kids' college education, but I don't plan on paying for it. Maybe something will change my mind between now and then, but as of now, I really enjoy being able to say I did it on my own.

It forced me to be more frugal than I otherwise would have been, and it helped me learn to juggle work and school. Both of those skills have proved helpful in my graduate and post-graduate endeavors. While it's certainly not impossible to learn those same skills if your education is paid for by your parents, the probability of doing so seems low, in my experience.

[old_gregg]

my parents are in a position to make sure i don't have to work at all during school, but they don't pay for any of it. i work full time and am able to live comfortably.

[hostile]

My parents would have loved to help financially but were unable to do so. I was fortunate to have a scholarship for tuition waver and I worked several odd jobs. I didn't make all the spring break trips with my fraternity and I took the bus often. I paid for grad school with student loans and have fortunate to be able to pay those off.

I want my kids to work for their education; I want them to appreciate it. I also think college is critical and I will do whatever I can to give my kids the best opportunity possible. The best thing my parents gave me was a work ethic to study hard.

[SteelBlue]

My parents were unable to provide me any financial help towards my college education. I don't fault them at all for this. I plan to be in a financial position to pay for my kids' college education, but I don't plan on paying for it. Maybe something will change my mind between now and then, but as of now, I really enjoy being able to say I did it on my own.

I feel much the same way. My parents had 6 children of which I am the oldest. My dad sat me down when I first started HS and told me that they would pay for my mission, but that they needed me to save and pay for college on my own as much as possible. He didn't say he wouldn't or couldn't help, just that he hoped I'd be able to make my own way. I went to BYU and so it was dirt cheap and I did not ask for a dime from my parents to complete my undergrad work. It gave me a feeling of independence even at age 18 that I don't think I'd have felt otherwise. After my mission it helped me to feel like I'd become a man, completely independent from the aid of his parents. I always felt like they saw it in kind of the same way.

When I got to grad school I was shocked at how many of my peers were having their education funded by parents. I guess at BYU I'd not been around many rich kids who had only 1 or no siblings. It was tough to rack up the debt those years knowing my friends would graduate debt free. I remember starting my first job and reviewing the finances with my wife. We were so excited to finally have a real career and be making real money and when we got to the bottom line we realized we were dirt poor. We even envied the homeless guy begging on the street because at least his bottom line probably stopped at zero. I felt like a slave to debt for the next 5 years, but was eventually able to shed all my loan debt through spartan living and extra work hours. Looking back, I hate to think of my kids struggling under debt like that, but in some ways it was actually good for us. Especially when it comes to really learning money management. I guess I'd like to help my kids as much as I can but somewhere deep inside I hope they want their independence in the same way that I did and that they take that initiative in their education.

[UteStar]

My parents would have helped but I was able to cover almost all of it thru scholarships. I say this because I am always impressed that people work full time jobs in order to pay for college. I never had to do that (I did yard care 5-10 hours a week) so I am lucky. My parents did pay for my books which was nice.

I think we will help cover school for the kids, but we expect them to also contribute. For Grad school, it is all on them.

[Slim]

My parents didn't pay for anything. I worked a lot of hours and barely scraped by. In hindsight I now realize that I probably could have saved money by taking out more loans, having more time to study and raise my GPA by a couple of decimal points, and getting into a cheaper medical school. My undergrad expenses were a drop in the bucket compared to my med school tuition.

For my own kids, they will be on the "family scholarship" as long as they treat school like their job.