Is a parent OBLIGATED to pay for son's college? (clothes, insurance, classes)
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Of course they aren't.
If you can help and they are deserving (in self motivation, character, attitude) then it's nice to do it but there is no obligation IMO.
I would sit down with him and have a discussion about money. Get your bills out, right it downof all your incoming and outgoing money and discuss it man-to-man. Be neutral about it. Tell him that you both need to figure out how to make his college dreams a success. Ask him to bring the cost of school (tuition, an average book price, dorm costs), along with what scholarships he has applied for. Sometimes kids just need to be included in the decision making...or at least feel like they are. It would be a way to educate him on exactly what you can afford and how much it costs to run a household, while gently letting him realize that he will be in charge of his own finances very, very soon. And who knows, maybe he has an idea for saving money/reducing costs of schooling that you never thought of.
I don't mean to sound rude, but your son sounds a little spoiled. He needs a good talking to and reality check, as others have also posted. Perhaps sit him and and just lay it out for him. Show him the bank statements, the bills, what's coming in and what's going out, everything. Answer his questions patiently. The sooner he learns about money and responsibility the better off you'll both be.
I'm going to stay out of this but have a few questions:
Didn't you have a hand in how he was raised and what you expected of him?
How he turned out is partly due to your childrearing.
Don't you want the best for your son as far as being a responsible, productive member of society?
I think you need to lay it out for your son, tell him exactly how much you can/are willing to contribute, and explain that he has to handle the rest (through grants, loans, schlorships, ect). Be very honest. Explain that you can't just pay for it all out of pocket.
My ds is a senior and he knows exactly what we can pay and we are working with him to come up with the rest. It really is a family process. For us, paying for it all is simply not doable (I'd love to, but it's not possible), but we've been very honest and open about it and he knows where he stands.
I am surprised for sure on how many People think like me. We have 3 teenagers( 18,15,13) we never had any EXTRA money with my first Husband and could not put away for any College's. Now with my Second Husband well its kinda late to start but we told ALL 3 of our Kids, we will NOT pay for them to go to College. WE will help with reg Bills, Books, gas, food ....whatever else they might need help with. All the Kids are OK with this. Other Parents have NO problem telling me that I am to co sign Loans and all that ! Its my Job to pay for it and co sign Loans.
Sorry, he is 18 he NEEDS to stand up on HIS own 2 Feet, we are here to GUIDE him & help him. He also has a Job offer making pretty good Money and plans on going to College Online....this way he can save a lot of Money and within a few Years he can have enough Money saved up to go to a Full Time College finish up there AND have the Money to pay up front.
I think times have changed a LOT and the Kids got spoiled in the last 10 years...time to HELP them but not do it for them. Our Parents never paid for our College, training, schooling.
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