<p>The loans issue was a big one for me. I understand that in some families, loans are part of the FA package, and there's no getting around them. The unsubs really aren't. Like Sybbie and most parents here, we will have maxed out on our ability to contribute at the undergrad level, and grad school will be the kids' responsibility. That's why I didn't want to require them to take the unsub loans, and like Sybbie, we've juggled and lived pretty darn spartan to make that work. I had to take loans, and they certainly affected my future decisions. I never felt that having the kids take loans would make them feel more "invested" in their education; if that's what it took, then I think we would have had more serious problems than money ones. But that's our family dynamic; I realize they all work differently. Again, if it's a low EFC family getting a big financial aid package which includes loans, that's a different story.</p>
<p>Codasco--your parents clearly made a commitment to paying for your education a while ago, as they have already invested a great deal of money in paying for your high school (I am very familiar with that school, although I do not live in St. Louis.) We have done the same thing for our children. We are paying for tuition, fees, room and board for each. We also pay for transportation home for breaks. All books, entertainment, meals out and other trips are their responsibility. We have a third car, but they share it--we will not be buying any of them a car of their own. We do pay the insurance and gas expenses. They work hard each summer, and our D picked up money by tutoring during this last school year. They know that we would help them out if they really need it, but they are trying to be independent and are proud that they haven't had to ask!</p>
<p>i was just wondering.. as an international student- who can't apply for financial aid the way domestic students can or work off campus if they can't find a job on campus- what suggestions would there be to help pay for college.. besides the obvious loans and scholarships and working in the summer...</p>
<p>I just finished paying off my student loans a few years back. Neither of my parents went to college- nor did they encourage any of my sibs or me to go. So off I went- paid for every bit myself and value the education that I received. I have very little $ resources for my 3 kids but will "pay it forward" to them as able. They are all acutely aware of the $$ situation and are working hard to position themselves as contenders for scholarship dollars. DD1 will have the best stats and could likely get into some top tier schools, however her list is loaded with financial safeties that she feels would be ok too. I believe it will all work out in the end.</p>
<p>I'm also paying for all my own fees, no help from my parents at all. I got a soccer scholarship so that covers quite a bit. I took a gap year and have been working do I could afford the rest of the fees.</p>
<p>We are in the "part of our investment in the future and in our grandchildren is our investment in your education". My parents paid for all my education,including medical school tuition, but not living expenses at that point, and I'm paying off my debt to them (with a lot of interest) by paying for my children's education. Having said that, I expect my daughter to work during college, as her monthly expense stipend will be small. She's working this summer, and will make enough to cover most, if not all her incidentals - her clothing costs will be high in the short term, because she has few cold weather clothes, and she has worn school uniforms for the last 12 years.
She is "on her own" in grad school, we will help some I'm sure, but the bulk of her "inheritance" she is getting up front. I expect her to take out loans. My mother will probably also help her in grad school.</p>
<p>The interesting dynamic in our household is my son - he will not be going to a competitive college unless life changes dramatically over the next 4 years. Also, he has always told my Mom (I'm an only) that he wants to inherit the farm (50 acres and a house). If he goes in state, we will make money, because he has pre-paid tuition, and we save the private high school tuition. What to do with the big bucks that we would have spent on his college? Small trust fund for his children? He would make a wonderful teacher, minister, or work in a non-profit, but won't make a lot of money. I have a little problem with families being supported by their wealthier parents in their 30s, I don't think that is healthy for the adult children. College fund for his kids?</p>
<p>"The interesting dynamic in our household is my son - he will not be going to a competitive college unless life changes dramatically over the next 4 years."</p>
<p>You might end up surprised, though. I would have said the same of my younger d. - the gymnast/concert pianist. Still never reads a book by choice. But once the academic superstar sister left home, all of a sudden she has flowered in all kinds of academic directions I never would have imagined. She is a fantastic student of Spanish, and somewhat of a math whiz, and, very much to our surprise, she actually likes it. Still likely that the Div. I gymnastics scholarship will pay for everything, and we'll go off to Martinique or wherever and sit on the beach (well, more likely build houses in India, but whatever....)</p>
<p>the Martinique visual is toooo good</p>
<p>Mini, if she's doing Div I gymnastics she may end up down our way. There are some great beaches down here to relax on, after visiting for the big meet. Can't always build houses in India, and frankly, there are some folks down here who could use a house with a real floor, a real roof and indoor plumbing, even today.</p>