How do you help a college age student

[The Mystery Machine]

Sorry, but these two statements are completely contradictory. She is 19 years old, YOU should not be helping her look for a job.

I think we are all misunderstanding what you are saying because in one post you talk about having her take time off of school and then the next you talk about her wanting to be in college. You can't have it both ways, either she stays in college and gets her GPA up to an acceptable level--who cares what she majors in-just get a degree--OR she quits school and gets a full time job with benefits. There is no middle ground for her unless she wants to go in welfare and state aid so she can get medical insurance.

You are confusing me with another poster. My dd's GPA is a 3.1.

We are looking at alternatives for her for next semster because the school she is at is 20,000/yr.

We feel that if she is not committed to a major then she can go to a different school that is 7000 less a yr or move back home while she figures out what she wants to do major wise.

This is about money bottom line. She does not have the option to take time off because of health insurance. If she were to skip school to figure things out and she has a serious medical issue, that is a problem. You are lucky your kids are healthy. Some of us don't have that life.

This is not coddling, this is communicating with your kids. If you don't see it that way, oh well.

We had our discussion and all went well. She knows where we stand and what we expect.

 

[golfgal]

She already knows this and like I said TX is not on the table. You need to read what I am posting.

I am talking about time off. Perhaps I need to repeat it again for you?

The insurance companies force your kids to go to college in order to retain health insurance. It would be nice if she could get some supplemental insurance while she works and goes to school part time to figure out what direction she wants to go.

You are confusing me with another poster. My dd's GPA is a 3.1.

We are looking at alternatives for her for next semster because the school she is at is 20,000/yr.

We feel that if she is not committed to a major then she can go to a different school that is 7000 less a yr or move back home while she figures out what she wants to do major wise.

This is about money bottom line. She does not have the option to take time off because of health insurance. If she were to skip school to figure things out and she has a serious medical issue, that is a problem. You are lucky your kids are healthy. Some of us don't have that life.

This is not coddling, this is communicating with your kids. If you don't see it that way, oh well.

We had our discussion and all went well. She knows where we stand and what we expect.

Have you applied for an individual plan for her??? Try doing that to see if she can get one and that will open up options for her. Go online to what ever health insurance company you have now and apply for an individual plan and see what they say. Her medical condition may or may not be an issue. You don't know if you don't try. Don't assume she can't get an individual plan just because she has a preexisting condition. This would give you a lot more options for her=and cost a lot less then $20K/year.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Have you applied for an individual plan for her??? Try doing that to see if she can get one and that will open up options for her. Go online to what ever health insurance company you have now and apply for an individual plan and see what they say. Her medical condition may or may not be an issue. You don't know if you don't try. Don't assume she can't get an individual plan just because she has a preexisting condition. This would give you a lot more options for her=and cost a lot less then $20K/year.

I don't need to do that now. She is covered until she is 19 which is in April. Anyway, if she is moving out then she will have to do it on her own. I am not going to pay for it. I am sure you have rules for your college child, right? We have our own.

Plus she still wants to go to school. She is in limbo right now with her major.

 

[golfgal]

I don't need to do that now. She is covered until she is 19 which is in April. Anyway, if she is moving out then she will have to do it on her own. I am not going to pay for it. I am sure you have rules for your college child, right? We have our own.

Plus she still wants to go to school. She is in limbo right now with her major.

She will have to apply on her own but I would do that NOW. It will take a while for the process to go through. I am sure they will request medical records, etc. I am not saying you have to pay for anything, but if you want options for your DD this is the one that will give her the most. Tell her to go online and apply. If she doesn't get approved then she knows she has to stay in school.

 

[familyS]

I didn't notice this in any of the previous responses, but maybe I missed it.

Our area community college has an "undeclared major" program. As part of that program the students take a course that helps them define their values and goals and to choose a major. They can even transfer to a four year college (or leave school for alternative education). All other courses during that semester are fully transferable to a four year program. Maybe an area community collage has a similar program available.

Wishing you luck

 

[Alicia87]

I don't need to do that now. She is covered until she is 19 which is in April. Anyway, if she is moving out then she will have to do it on her own. I am not going to pay for it. I am sure you have rules for your college child, right? We have our own.

Plus she still wants to go to school. She is in limbo right now with her major.

I know exactly where you are coming from!!! Our DDs have the same heart condition. Thankfully my DD19 understands the importance of staying in school full time and obtaining a degree. She knows she has to carry full time hours to stay on our health insurance which will cover her until the age of 25 while she is in school. She also knows that without a degree, her chances of a full time job with benefits is pretty much close to 0!

My DD19 decided to transfer to a community college this semester. Thankfully she came to the conclusion that the university wasn't for her right now. When she transferred, our tuition/housing bill went from $8000 for a semester to $5000/semester. She seems to be happier with her decision for now.

Mystery Machine, PM me if you need to vent!