Does your child go to college but live at home?

[SnowWtch]

My brother and I both stayed home to do our bachelors. It was cheaper and we live in a university town. So, it just made sense to save the money. My parents also wanted us to concentrate on studying instead of worrying about bills or getting caught up in the partying lifestyle that happens to some when they get away from home.

 

[indimom]

I lived at home my senior year of college for convenience (even though my college was almost three hours away ).

I did an internship the summer before my senior year at a newspaper near my hometown (30 minutes from my parents house). At the end of the summer, I was offered a full time position. I wasn't willing to give up my degree, but they were willing to work with me so I could complete my final year of schooling while working. The professors at my university were also willing to make some sacrifices so I could complete my final 21 hours in two days a week, allowing me to accept the position.

So, I lived with my parents, worked 40 hours at the newspaper MWF and Sat, and commuted three hours to my university on T/TH to squeeze in my final 7 classes. (Well, on T/Th, I actually stayed with my sister who had an apartment between my school and my job, shaving 45 minutes off my commute in the evenings.)

By that point in my life, I was OVER college and dorm life so I didn't miss it in the least. And I was barely home so there was no risk of reverting back into the parent-child roles we had prior to college. It was a win-win for me, even though my T/Th were really long days and the drives were exhausting.

 

[lemondog]

I did! I went to Vanderbilt Univ. which was about 15 minutes from my parents' house. The housing was an extra $6000 and since tuition was already $20,000 per year (less than HALF of what it is now ) my dad said if I went to Vanderbilt I had to live at home. I joined a sorority and had lots of friends where I could crash if we went out so it wasn't a big deal.

 

[daughtersrus]

DD just sent me a text saying that she will be moving back home at the end of this semester. She got an email this morning saying that the request that she made last year to change the placement for her Practicum semester was finally approved. Instead of her being in a school district about an hour from campus (which is about 1 1/2 hours from home), her placement is changed to the Chicago area. Granted, that could be anywhere in Chicago or the suburbs but if she's got to drive an hour to get to the school district, at least she's not paying $5,000 extra to live on campus.

Generally, the placement for student teaching is in the same general area as practicum. DD#1 made some strong connections with the schools in our area where she was placed for practicum and student teaching which ultimately lead to permanent teaching position offers when she graduated. We're hoping DD#2 is also able to build these strong relationships.

On a selfish note, this also means that she will be able to help out here and there caring for DD#3. DD#1 and DD#2 were both approved a few months ago to be person care workers for their youngest sister.

 

[Aisling]

My son's a sophomore now and lives at home. My other son also lived at home. Saved tons of money that way.

 

[Buckalew11]

It'll all depend on $$$ for us.

DD knows where she wants to go, she is a SR in HS this year.

We live probably 9 minutes from campus (2 traffic lights between us and campus).

I think she'd like to live on campus but it isn't a huge deal to her. She knows it depends on $ and is OK with that. I'd love her to have the full experience of living on campus but we'll see. She's already active on campus--she's probably been more active on this campus for the past 5 years than some on campus students!

 

[ENSOCK]

I have already spoken with my DS about college next year. I explained to him that I can not pay for housing. I can not afford it. We already pay for him and his brother to attend a private school and we just do not have the money for 2 house notes. He was not happy about it but then I explained to him that if I had to pay for an apartment then I would no longer be able to pay for his gas and insurance. If that happened then I would have to sell the truck he uses and he would be on foot. He choose to keep the truck and live at home.

 

[bigbabyblues]

I went to a local college and lived at home, as did several other people I know (two different schools). For me, it was mostly money. It was up to me to find a way to pay for college and I worked 40 hours a week while I was in school. I also had to pay for my own car, insurance, gas, health insurance (if I wanted it, which I did), clothes and food that was not made at home, and anything else I wanted or needed; I did not pay rent. There was no need for me to move 25 minutes away to school and have to pay for that, too.

I really had no desire to go away to school, and I'm still happy with that decision. I took a year off between high school and college to figure out what I wanted to do.

 

[FireDancer]

I lived with my grandma and great grandma while I was going to college. For me it was because I was working a full time job and paying my way through school and the only other option would be to take out loans to pay for room and board somewhere. I didn't want to graduate from college with any debt so it was a simple decision.

Of course everyone's situation is different but if you have good schools close to your home I think it makes a lot more sense to live at home and commute than to take out loans so you can live on campus.

 

[deegack]

I did not read all the replies but to me it's not a matter of if they go away or stay home for college but if it's their choice. I would encourage students who are unsure what they want to do to go to community college and then move on. Dh did that. He went to a community college and got an AA in engineering and then moved to a private university which had a five year BS in engineering. Between the scholarship he received and his externship and other work he was able to fund it without loans and his parents gave him nothing toward college. I went to a four year public university that my parents paid for. I was told this is what they could pay and if I went to a private school I would have to make up the rest is loans or scholarship. Since I wanted to go to grad schoolbo went with the fully paid for option.

 

[charming23]

I stayed home and attended the local community college after high school. It was both a financial and emotional decision. I was not ready to leave home yet and that was fine with my parents as community college was what we could afford.

I plan to return to school in the spring to get my bachelor's degree and the two schools I want to go to are both about 20 minutes from my house. One I can drive to, the other I would take public transportation. It just depends on what financial aid is offered.

 

[Liberty Belle]

My son will next year.


We made him decide it. He's going to the University of Kentucky, which is in our town and we'll not pay for a dorm room or an apartment.

 

[powellrj]

DS is now a Jr and he has lived about everywhere! He started out as a freshman living at school, but that didn't work out so he moved home. He then lived in the fraturnity house a semester, last year he lived in an old house off campus and this year he lives in a huge lovely mansion with 8 of his fraturnity brothers. He told me the other day he is thinking about moving home next year. While I love him, it is hard to live with him after he has been gone!

He is a very social kid and living at home doesn't affect him one way or another. He is on the interfraternity council of his school, he is a flame (sweetheart) of a sorority, is an officer in his fraturnity and a homecoming king candidate this year. I don't think he missed out on much living at home his first semester or he will miss much moving home next year.

 

[Melmac]

I lived at home when I went to University. My parents were not paying for my education and so it was a smart financial decision for me. I took the bus to school and had my part-time job from high school. I did take out some loans to help cover tuition since I didn't make enough at my job to completely take care of the books, etc. My parents did cover my loan for me at the end when I graduated, so I wouldn't start off with any debt (thank you Mom and Dad ).

I had no problems meeting friends, participating in social activities, etc. I probably wasn't totally immersed in college life but I don't regret it. The school I chose had the co-op program I wanted and I got a really good education for thousands cheaper than if I went away.

 

[kydisneyfans]

My parents could not afford a dime to send me to school, but left the door open to stay rent free until I graduated. It worked out fine, even though the 25 mile drive each way got old.

Between scholarships and savings, I graduated in 97 with less than $5000 in debt, which got paid off quickly.

 

[FINFAN]

I am a FIRM believer that the student has to be happy in their environment to be successful at school. If they are happy a million miles away~fine if they are happy 2 doors down~fine. My oldest went 1100 miles away, we see her 2 x's a year. My DS (senior this year) is planning on getting his associates at our CC and then hoping to go to school in AZ...1400 miles away IF he still feels the same when the time comes. He has an in state school as a back up, but it is 3 hours away. I did both...started at a state school NIU maybe 90 minutes from home (suitcase school as we called it) ran out of $ and went to CC my sophomore year, get my AA degree. Transfered to FSU, found out an error on transcripts meant 12 credits didn't transfer 3 days before classes started. Well, mad dash BACK to NIU to finish up there. In all honesty? I liked my CC the best of them, smaller class sizes were a key reason, I was able to work AND I liked getting away from campus each day, not being so contained. If your DD is happy with her choice, awesome, she is on her way!

 

[tvguy]

Both mine went away to college. 50 miles away for my son, 200 miles away for my daughter. Both mine changed back to the school 2 miles from home.
Oh well, we were empty nesters for 9 months.
My grocery bill went up $50 a week, but I'm saving about $20,000 a year in room and board costs

 

[grafxgirl]

I lived at home while going to college too, at least until my senior year. They told me as long as my grades were good they would allow me to live there rent free, and helped with some of my other expenses towards school, but I did work a full-time job to pay for my other bills myself. There were no restrictions for me living at home because they felt I was an adult and could make my own decisions, which was nice.

I didn't feel like I was left out of the social aspect at all. I had plenty going on, but I do think it helped to keep me out of trouble.

 

[jme829]

My dd will be starting at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls next week. She will be living at home at least this year. She is going for a bachelor's in English Education with a possible double minor in psychology and coaching.

Our decision was mostly financial. She also works part time and wants/needs to continue to do so. She has over 2 years in at her job and doesn't want to risk her "status" (she is one of the top people in her dept.)

She may move into an apartment next year, we'll have to see how her finances are at that time. She's been told that we will still pay for school, but she'll be responsible for everything else (rent, utilities, car, etc..) if she does move out (she would move in with a friend from HS).

Her school is about 8 miles from us, BTW.

 

[clh2]

Interesting...DD (senior in HS) and I had a very related discussion today.

I insist that she go away to school. We do not have any schools within an hour that have her anticipated major. And - I have not heard anything good about the local CC.

I went away to school (back in the day) and it was a great experience for me. You get the opportunity to spread your wings while still having a parental safety net. It worked out great for me.

Plus - DD is a lot like me, she will really enjoy the experience.

Now...as far as paying for it, I feel like we've been saving forever...but it seems like such a small amount. In this regard - I'm glad DD is an only child.