18 yr old is suing parents for college education

[gwynne]

but students are only eligible for financial aid based on their parents income. In the eyes of the federal government it is the responsibility of parents to help their children with college. When parents won't pay anything it really puts their child in a bind, especially if the parents make a decent amount. They can't get financial aid and the parents won't help them. Pretty lousy in my eyes on the parents.

Yep. And this is why many colleges and universities just make it a flat out rule that if you want any type of aid or scholarship you must file the FAFSA.
Bottom line, it's about fairness to all their students.

 

[NotUrsula]

I suspect that the reason that the attorneys are taking this on is as a test case regarding the Federal student aid system and the question of emancipation.

The Federal aid rules say that an exception applies if you are a ward of the court before age 18. However, the requirement for parental contribution applies until age 24. There is a good legal issue in that 6-yr. gap.

The attorney who manages to bring this issue to Federal court and force a rollback of the age limit will have made his career.

 

[jrmasm]

but students are only eligible for financial aid based on their parents income. In the eyes of the federal government it is the responsibility of parents to help their children with college. When parents won't pay anything it really puts their child in a bind, especially if the parents make a decent amount. They can't get financial aid and the parents won't help them. Pretty lousy in my eyes on the parents.

I am currently contributing to my daughter's college expense because it's what I want to do. I do not understand the thinking that I should have to do it. Again, IMO no one is owed a college education by their parents.

 

[RitaE]

Married parents are required file FAFSA and contribute.

As to the case, it would seem to be that if the parents have a contract with the private school, they'd be on the hook to the school for the tuition but nothing else. IMO, no matter how awful these parents might be, no one owes their kid a college education.

There is a huge difference between the Federal Government including parental income and assets in their FAFSA calculations and the Federal Government requiring parent's to contribute.

I could pay zero for my son's college education next year and the Federal Government and the courts will not send their agents to my front door and my bank accounts demanding I turn over the money.

 

[RitaE]

but students are only eligible for financial aid based on their parents income. In the eyes of the federal government it is the responsibility of parents to help their children with college. When parents won't pay anything it really puts their child in a bind, especially if the parents make a decent amount. They can't get financial aid and the parents won't help them. Pretty lousy in my eyes on the parents.

I can tell you that I see a lot of people's finances in my job and most people do not contribute anywhere near their Federal EFC number toward their kid's college. It is a number that is computed in the Federal System, not a legal requirement.

 

[gwynne]

I am currently contributing to my daughter's college expense because it's what I want to do. I do not understand the thinking that I should have to do it. Again, IMO no one is owed a college education by their parents.

Absolutely true. But if a parent with means chooses to not submit a FAFSA and assist toward college costs, it's not the responsibility of the college or university to make up any possible shortfall. That would be parental "choice", and they would need to explain this to their potential student. The student needs a clear picture of how/when they would qualify to file the FAFSA on their own.
The major possibilities that would allow the student to become independent and file their own FAFSA: join the military, get married, become a parent, or wait till they are 24.

 

[JanaDee]

but students are only eligible for financial aid based on their parents income. In the eyes of the federal government it is the responsibility of parents to help their children with college. When parents won't pay anything it really puts their child in a bind, especially if the parents make a decent amount. They can't get financial aid and the parents won't help them. Pretty lousy in my eyes on the parents.

We do not owe our children a free college education.

 

[jrmasm]

There is a huge difference between the Federal Government including parental income and assets in their FAFSA calculations and the Federal Government requiring parent's to contribute.

I could pay zero for my son's college education next year and the Federal Government and the courts will not send their agents to my front door and my bank accounts demanding I turn over the money.

Again, you have to look at what I quoted. Married parents do not have it easier regarding FAFSA, that was my point.

 

[Lorelei Lee]

A bit off topic but I always wondered why so many people that are divorced are required to pay for college for their children. I understand that it's part of the divorce agreement but if the parents were still married, they would not be required.

One relative in particular has paid for all 4 children on his own. The ex refused to file FAFSA (didn't want the ex to know about her income/assets) so the kids were not able to apply for most scholarships or any financial aide.

Simply put, the courts are trying to place the children in the same situation as if the parents weren't divorced , and the court has to make assumptions based on each parent's financial circumstances.

When I got divorced it was assumed that my ex and I could afford to pay for a SUNY college or university, and my ex husband's financial obligation was set at a percentage of SUNY tuition.

Neither of my daughters went to a school in the NYS system. Older daughter paid "out of state" tuition at University of Rhode Island. Younger daughter attends a private college, Fordham University. My ex paid what he would have paid had they attended state school here in NY.

My divorce judgment also had all kinds of financial disclosure and cooperation requirements. Those are very much enforceable.

 

[Laura66]

When this girl decided to walk out the door because she didn't want to follow house rules (and we don't know the whole story here) she terminated her parents obligation for support in my opinion!
Did they refuse to pay the bill for the private high school. As long as they pay their financial obligation - who cares if she went or not.
If she wants to walk out the door she should assume all responsibilities for her livelihood! Parents and the government do not owe anyone a college education!

For the record - our children are expected to keep up their grades, follow college and home rules and get jobs to help pay for their leisure activities and books. We pay for everything else. Get failing grades, kicked out for bad behavior etc. - well then you're on your own.

 

[Hannathy]

We do not owe our children a free college education.

no one said anything about free! BUT the federal government does say you do owe them help toward college. I'm just pointing out a flaw in the system. The federal government does expect parents to contribute to their child's college costs until they are 24. all aid to the student is based on parental income up till 24. If parents chose not to do what is expected of them then students should be able to cut themselves from the parents and apply on their own, now they can't. If your parents make $100,000 and you are not eligible for any aid but they don't give you a cent then you can't get any help anywhere and this is not right.

 

[Hannathy]

I suspect that the reason that the attorneys are taking this on is as a test case regarding the Federal student aid system and the question of emancipation.

The Federal aid rules say that an exception applies if you are a ward of the court before age 18. However, the requirement for parental contribution applies until age 24. There is a good legal issue in that 6-yr. gap.

The attorney who manages to bring this issue to Federal court and force a rollback of the age limit will have made his career.

I agree it is a real mess and needs addressed and will make the lawyers career.

 

[Laura66]

no one said anything about free! BUT the federal government does say you do owe them help toward college. I'm just pointing out a flaw in the system. The federal government does expect parents to contribute to their child's college costs until they are 24. all aid to the student is based on parental income up till 24. If parents chose not to do what is expected of them then students should be able to cut themselves from the parents and apply on their own, now they can't. If your parents make $100,000 and you are not eligible for any aid but they don't give you a cent then you can't get any help anywhere and this is not right.

A family making 100 thousand a year would struggle to pay just one kids college tuition per year in full and take care of their families needs!
I think it's ridiculous that the government can dictate such a thing!

 

[RitaE]

What's kind of funny to me is that we all read the articles and everybody zeroed in on differing statements.

Some people read it and zoomed in on the accusation by the English teacher that she overheard the mother speaking harshly to the girl. When I read it, the thing that popped out to me is that the school suspended her twice during the Fall term for rule violations. That kind of says to me that the parents aren't the only ones having behavior difficulties with the girl.

The conflict between Dependent for Income Tax purposes, Dependent for Financial Aid and Legal Age has existed for decades. This is not the first child to reach the age of 18 while still in High School and start throwing around the "I'm an adult, you can't make me!" drama with their schools and their family. In fact, I think most parents go through this with their 18 year olds in one manner or another. Some of them are just more bullheaded about it than others.

If this one girl is able to force her parents to pay for her college against their will, it could have a serious repercussion on millions of other families.

 

[PoohNBoom]

A couple of things...

The government does not say parents are required to pay for college. The formulas and setup, as flawed as it is, are there to prevent parents who CAN pay from telling their kids to emancipate themselves to make it so it looks like they can't pay. Thus, ending up with lower tuition costs. The parents now give the children what they need at a far lower cost.

Also, I don't understand those who find it weird that the parents stopped paying the HS tuition. The HS called in the parents, called CPS, and are taking the girl's side. Why do you expect them to want to continue to give the HS any more money? If they are required by contract, yes they are obligated, but that is different than wanting her to continue there.

 

[Hannathy]

A couple of things...

The government does not say parents are required to pay for college. The formulas and setup, as flawed as it is, are there to prevent parents who CAN pay from telling their kids to emancipate themselves to make it so it looks like they can't pay. Thus, ending up with lower tuition costs. The parents now give the children what they need at a far lower cost.

It states they are EXPECTED to. And yes that is why it was set up but there was no plan for parents who refuse to help their children especially if they have high enough incomes that they don't receive aid. The student can not apply on their own even in these cases .

 

[PoohNBoom]

It states they are EXPECTED to. And yes that is why it was set up but there was no plan for parents who refuse to help their children especially if they have high enough incomes that they don't receive aid. The student can not apply on their own even in these cases .

That is because there is no way to tell whether or not the case that you state is real or not. What prevents me from telling the whole world that I'm refusing to pay for college, allowing my kids to get aid, and then gifting them the money later on? Morals and integrity, but not everyone sees it that way.

 

[powellrj]

My oldest DS and DH had a huge fight when he was a senior and DS moved in with a friend. I had a friend who knew what was going on as I had confided in her and saw her every week. She was a neighbor of the family that DS was living with at the time and they were telling everyone what awful people we were at a Pampered Chef party.

The friend told our side of the story and DS was home a few days later. I can't help but think that is what is going on here. They are only hearing the DDs side of the story and trust me, 18 year olds can be very convincing when they want to be.

Its a family problem that has gone public. I am sad for all involved.

 

[barkley]

What's kind of funny to me is that we all read the articles and everybody zeroed in on differing statements.

Some people read it and zoomed in on the accusation by the English teacher that she overheard the mother speaking harshly to the girl. When I read it, the thing that popped out to me is that the school suspended her twice during the Fall term for rule violations. That kind of says to me that the parents aren't the only ones having behavior difficulties with the girl.

The conflict between Dependent for Income Tax purposes, Dependent for Financial Aid and Legal Age has existed for decades. This is not the first child to reach the age of 18 while still in High School and start throwing around the "I'm an adult, you can't make me!" drama with their schools and their family. In fact, I think most parents go through this with their 18 year olds in one manner or another. Some of them are just more bullheaded about it than others.

If this one girl is able to force her parents to pay for her college against their will, it could have a serious repercussion on millions of other families.

it could also have serious repercussions on how social service programs are structured. under the current system individuals found unable to provide for themselves/their children, are provided for what are considered the minimum adequate standards of living (housing, food/nutrition, clothing-and more recently health insurance), those things that every parent is obligated to provide for their minor child. b/c free public education (through grade 12) is available, monies for this are not paid out. BUT-if some court rules that a basic right of any u.s. child is a college education AND their parent(s) are obligated to financially provide for that-I suspect the next lawsuit will be on behalf of every public assistance aided child to expand their benefits to include
tuition assistance. for the record-just b/c a household gets a zero expected family contribution from fafsa doesn't mean their child gets their entire cost of attendance covered. with the max pell grant at $5645 and public colleges charging well in excess for tuition let alone books, fees... it can still be another 10K or so per year......so a court decision of this type could result in parents not only having to pay for their own bio-children's college education, but a good many other people's childrens as well.

 

[Mkrop]

So say this girl wins and I hope she doesnt...but then what, is she going to pay them back if she fails out, parties too much and gets kicked out, realizes that Vermont is too far away and wants to come home...or are the parents just expected to cough over all this cash and not have any guarantees of the outcome. I know we all take that chance when we send our kids to school but at least for most of us it was our choice to send our kids to school and if they mess up we can cut them off then. Will this set a precendent for having to pay no matter what?