Is anyone else not saving or paying for college?

[Disneyqueendenmark]

Just courious, how much does it cost to have your 'child' at college for four years?? I know it can vary a lot, depending on the school and so on... But I'm just curious to know how much it can cost. And whats included in the price!?

I would love to study in the USA and for me it would cost about $20,000 for a year at a state college. That price includes the school fee, some meals and housing. How does that price compare to the price you pay??
Is it free to go to a community college??
(Sorry if this is kind of off topic - I was just reading this thread and became curious!!)

 

[NHdisneylover]

Just courious, how much does it cost to have your 'child' at college for four years?? I know it can vary a lot, depending on the school and so on... But I'm just curious to know how much it can cost. And whats included in the price!?

I would love to study in the USA and for me it would cost about $20,000 for a year at a state college. That price includes the school fee, some meals and housing. How does that price compare to the price you pay??
Is it free to go to a community college??
(Sorry if this is kind of off topic - I was just reading this thread and became curious!!)

Community colleges are not free. Higher education in the states is very pricey. We are US citizens but currently reside in Germany, which means we do not get "in state" tuition anywhere. DD16 will be heading back to the US for college in just over 2 years. It looks like, at beast, for full room, board and tuition and a state school we will pay around $25000 for a year. Some of the private liberal arts colleges she is looking at would run about $60,000.

 

[wishesuponastar]

We will help DD's as much as we can. We were not able to set aside money for college savings.

 

[Southernmiss]

Just courious, how much does it cost to have your 'child' at college for four years?? I know it can vary a lot, depending on the school and so on... But I'm just curious to know how much it can cost. And whats included in the price!?

I would love to study in the USA and for me it would cost about $20,000 for a year at a state college. That price includes the school fee, some meals and housing. How does that price compare to the price you pay??
Is it free to go to a community college??
(Sorry if this is kind of off topic - I was just reading this thread and became curious!!)

$20,000 is accurate for a state college.

My DS is a freshman in one of our in state colleges. He receives a lower rate because he is a resident of the state the college is in.

His tuition, course fees, housing and meal plan (notice no books) was $7512 for the fall semester--August to December. He had scholarships to cover that plus expenses. As you have read earlier, scholarships are becoming very difficult. He's very fortunate to have been able to receive what he has.

I am not sure what the out of state rate would be for our state colleges. This is probably on the low end of middle of the scale price for colleges. I haven't looked into community college recently, so I don't know what those rates are.

 

[a1tinkfans]

We have one child, so I believe thats a factor. We decided that our young adult would not have college debt if we could avoid it. We did plan and save. However the cost for his education was not truly realized until we saw where he intended (and deserved) to apply. He ultimately chose to accept a four year full academic scholarship and is currently attending that University. Was it his top pick, no...but tough decisions need to be made sometimes. Many people said he should have taken loan/s (over and above our contribution and the scholarship) as it was an investment in himself.....and Id like to agree to that...However, the "real" job prospects today are not the same as when his dad and I entered the work force, starting our lives together ..with our education loans in tow.
I dont think any parent is obligated to pay for their childs education, but having the ability to pay and not offering is not something we'd ever do.

His dad and I decided to take that saved college money and blow it all on a world cruise......................





Just kidding its going towards grad school

 

[Colleen27]

We're saving for college because we don't want our kids to start out in adulthood with life-altering debt. I know so many people right now struggling to pay loans for a degree that hasn't paid off in the job market (ex. a cashier I'm friendly with at CVS graduated summa cum laude 3 years ago with an elem ed degree and can't even get work as a sub) or who have held back from major life goals/events like marriage, children, home ownership, or starting a business because of the effect loan payments have on their standard of living. I don't want my kids in that position. I don't want them to feel like they can't buy a home in a good school district or stay home while their kids are young or save for my eventual grandkids' educations because they have a mortgage-sized student loan payment, and for their generation that's what it'll be.

Our financial support does come with certain academic conditions but I don't believe in deliberately imposing hardships on my kids to teach a lesson. I want to give them the best tools to build a happy, self-sufficient life and to me that includes higher education (not necessarily university - my oldest is more interested in the trades) without the weight of huge debts holding them back.

 

[Colleen27]

Just courious, how much does it cost to have your 'child' at college for four years?? I know it can vary a lot, depending on the school and so on... But I'm just curious to know how much it can cost. And whats included in the price!?

I would love to study in the USA and for me it would cost about $20,000 for a year at a state college. That price includes the school fee, some meals and housing. How does that price compare to the price you pay??
Is it free to go to a community college??
(Sorry if this is kind of off topic - I was just reading this thread and became curious!!)

I'm in college now (again ). It varies from state to state because some subsidize education to a greater extent than others, but in mine community college costs about $5000 per year for two semesters of a full time courseload. That's tuition, books, and fees but no living expenses. The public universities I'm considering for transfer both run in the neighborhood of $14,000 per year for the same - tuition, books, and fees, not including housing or room & board. Including room & a meal plan, $20,000 per year sounds a little on the low side. I'd guess more like $22-23K.

 

[teacup princess]

My goal is to give them each one year. There's no way we could afford a four year degree for four kids but we are saving what we can.

 

[JiminyCricut]

My mom worked at our local university which provided a significant discount (this was her contribution as she could not financially foot the entire bill being a single parent). My father paid for the remaining portion. I was responsible for books and incidentals. In addition, I had to hold down a part-time job and completely pay for my car insurance and gas for my car while maintaining good grades. I did not take any of it for granted and was able to graduate without a single penny of college debt. We are saving for college for our child, but are expecting him to provide his third as it will build character. We have also taught him from day 1 of elementary school that if he strives to be the best that he can be: good grades = good college and scholarships = good jobs and life. He is a straight A student and takes his education very seriously! Not sure if this is right or wrong, but it works for us.

 

[hellow]

I know so many people right now struggling to pay loans for a degree that hasn't paid off in the job market (ex. a cashier I'm friendly with at CVS graduated summa cum laude 3 years ago with an elem ed degree and can't even get work as a sub)

After substantially helping all 3 of our kids through school, this has been the most disappointing part. We drilled into them to go to college to get a decent job and have a certain standard of living, and it just isn't happening. Luckily our kids don't have big loans, but it is very sad to see that the investment of a bachelor's degree just isn't paying off for them like it did for my husband and me when we graduated in the 80's. (And, none of our kids majored in philosophy--they chose fields that should have had jobs available, but this unemployment situation is ridiculous.)

 

[MEK]

The public universities I'm considering for transfer both run in the neighborhood of $14,000 per year for the same - tuition, books, and fees, not including housing or room & board. Including room & a meal plan, $20,000 per year sounds a little on the low side. I'd guess more like $22-23K.

This is exactly the in-state fee in Delaware, but there are states where this fee is cheaper. For example, in-state at West Virginia University is $16.5 a year including room and board.

 

[DeniseinNS]

Different strokes for different folks I guess. I find this post very sad. I am a SAHM and wouldn't have it any other way. My life and time are of way more value to me than money. I have a DD10 and I have told her that she can do whatever she would like in life but I would be very disappointed if she choose to work instead of raising her children. I've told DS the same about whatever woman he would marry. I've always felt incredibly sad for children raised in daycares or by nannys while mom and dad are out fulfilling their dreams of having more and living better. Years ago, before having kids, I was a nanny. I took care of a 9 and 6 year old. One day the 6 year old said that she wished her mom was home with her everyday. The 9 year old quickly said that if she was they wouldn't have as much "stuff". Already at 9 he valued material possessions over family time I would MUCH rather live in a small house and drive an older car and spend my days leisurely with my children than live in a giant house and drive a fancy car and be so busy with work that I had to hire people to clean my house, make my food, and raise my kids.

Wow, I feel bad for your daughter You would actually be DISAPPOINTED in your child for choosing to work rather then be a SAHM???? as her mom shouldn't you just be proud of her and support whatever she choosing to do after she has kids??? we are not living in the 1940's anymore. I will be proud of and support my daughter whether she chooses to have a career or stay at home with her kids.
I personally could never be a SAHM but at the same time my kids are not being "raised" but anyone other then myself and my husband. He works days and I CHOOSE to work a part-time job because I enjoy it. One or both of us is always home with the kids and this works out perfectly for us

 

[DeniseinNS]

We starts RESP's for all 3 of our kids once they were born, they won't totally cover everything but it will help them out for sure We are used to having a certain amount come out each month so we don't even miss it I couldn't imagine not trying to help them, I would hate to see them struggle with a bunch of student loans or trying to juggle working and school to afford it.

 

[scoutie]

I'm saving for my kids to attend college. I remember being a senior in high school and finding out that nothing had been saved for me, aside from the money that I had saved myself. It was shocking. I worked a 30 hour a week job through college and did work study and still had quite a bit of student loans when I graduated. I had to work as a waitress after I got my first teaching job so I could pay for my student loans. If my parents would have discussed money with me from the start, it wouldn't have been so shocking, but finding out that I was going to graduate with a load of debt was very worriesome to me.

My kids will be expected to work part time, but they will have a big portion of college paid for.

You would actually be DISAPPOINTED in your child for choosing to work rather then be a SAHM????

I find this crazy too. Don't you want your daughter to be able to support herself if her husband dies or if he loses a job? I thought this post was from 1950.

I want my daughter to know she has options. I want my daughter to find a job she loves and is passionate about. If that's being a SAHM....wonderful! If it's being a teacher or doctor or lawyer or florist....wonderful! The point is that she gets to CHOOSE and knows I will SUPPORT her.

I've always felt incredibly sad for children raised in daycares or by nannys while mom and dad are out fulfilling their dreams of having more and living better.

You don't need to feel sad for my kids. We don't put money first, but if I didn't work, they wouldn't have health insurance or a house in a safe neighborhood. They are beautifully happy children who know that they are loved and cherished. Let's not paint a picture of dirty, sad, neglected "daycare kids", versus shiny, happy, thriving kids who have moms who stay home.

many parents WANT to stay home with their kids but THINK they can't. BUT, they also think they need a BIG house, fancy cars, big screen TVs, expensive purses, new wardrobes, 300 pairs of shows, jewelry for every outfit, fancy phones, latest technology, and everything for their kids to boot. But really, if they had wanted to stay home not have all the "stuff", they most likely could have stayed home. It seems that's all she is saying.

And some moms want to stay at home, but they are the breadwinners, provide health insurance, or need to stay in the job market, or they will not be able to get back in.

Moms need to be grateful for all of the moms that cannnot stay home. They are your child's pediatricians, therapists and teachers. They are your doctor, lawyer, hair stylist, etc.

I said it makes me sad when people choose posessions over being with their kids if they can

Me too. There are SAHMs who do this as well.

I'm new to the DIS boards, and I simply do not understand this WOHM vs. SAHM debate that I see on these threads. In "real life", my SAHM friends and WOHM friends have a mutual respect for each other. We ALL LOVE OUR KIDS, and most of us are doing what's best for them. I don't understand the mentality that SAHMs are "less" and I don't understand the mentality of WOHMs are just working for the big screen TV.

 

[NHdisneylover]

Wow, I feel bad for your daughter You would actually be DISAPPOINTED in your child for choosing to work rather then be a SAHM???? as her mom shouldn't you just be proud of her and support whatever she choosing to do after she has kids??? we are not living in the 1940's anymore. I will be proud of and support my daughter whether she chooses to have a career or stay at home with her kids.
I personally could never be a SAHM but at the same time my kids are not being "raised" but anyone other then myself and my husband. He works days and I CHOOSE to work a part-time job because I enjoy it. One or both of us is always home with the kids and this works out perfectly for us

I totally feel badly for both of her kids. Her daughter is apparently being raised to believe that she should get married, have kids, and not have a career and stay home with the kids whether that is something she enjoys and finds fulfilling or not. Her son is apparently being raised to believe that he must marry, have children, not stay home with them himself if he would find that fulfilling and can afford it and should push his wife to do so no matter her opinion on the matter.

Heck, I have two teens and so long as they are respectful, kind and responsible adults I will be thrilled for them to make whatever choices in their lives that they want. I don't care IF they even marry or have kids, much less if those kids have at home parents or go to daycare. I think it is a great burden to place on a child that you want them to live up to some ideal of your own, or version of yourself and will be disappointed if they do not.

 

[gjl]

Removed

 

[a1tinkfans]

gjl
Pls dont let the nasties (that can hide behind computer screens ) deter you from speaking your mind...seriously...who cares what anyone else thinks anyway...
As a long time member of the DIS I have even found that sometimes what we "think" we're saying doesnt always come out the way we actually meant it, KWIM? I can say from first hand experience that Ive made that "oops"
I guess that Id rather think about the good in people...life is TOO short!
There really are some of the nicest HELPFUL people here ..on the DIS

Anyhoo, just wanted to welcome you aboard
Enjoy your weekend!!

 

[gjl]

Removed

 

[disykat]

I'm new to the DIS boards, and I simply do not understand this WOHM vs. SAHM debate that I see on these threads. In "real life", my SAHM friends and WOHM friends have a mutual respect for each other. We ALL LOVE OUR KIDS, and most of us are doing what's best for them. I don't understand the mentality that SAHMs are "less" and I don't understand the mentality of WOHMs are just working for the big screen TV.

The DIS never fails to astound on this topic. In real life, I sometimes meet people (at church, at my kid's school, etc.) and don't even know whether they work or not. I honestly have some aquaintances I've known for years and I have no idea if or where they work. Here it seems like everything revolves around that choice.

 

[Robbi]

I'm new to the DIS boards, and I simply do not understand this WOHM vs. SAHM debate that I see on these threads. In "real life", my SAHM friends and WOHM friends have a mutual respect for each other. We ALL LOVE OUR KIDS, and most of us are doing what's best for them. I don't understand the mentality that SAHMs are "less" and I don't understand the mentality of WOHMs are just working for the big screen TV.

This^^^ and all the other nastiness in posts. I'm new as well and it seems if you have any debt and "gasp" still go on vacation, don't have a perfect "pixie dust filled" time at WDW, kids graduating valedictorian with full rides to college or don't fully research the thousands of posts on the board before you ask a question, etc you see some awful responses. I just don't get it!

Nah,even if you have a perfect life, someone will find a negative and blast you.

We have 3 kids. One is a lawyer, one is a salesman, and one is a hair dresser. All 3 are happy. If our daughter decides one day to stay home and raise kids, good for her, if she decides to work, good for her. The same goes for our 2 sons. If they marry and decide to become Mr. Moms, yay, if their wives stay home, yay, if they all want to work, yay. Once they've grown up it isn't a decision for me to make. It's whatever works for them and their families.

I've been SAHM mom and I've enjoyed it. It worked for us. My SILs were working moms because that fit their families and they've enjoyed their jobs.
We've all done our very best at parenting our children and in the end, that's what matters.