<p>Parents should absolutely contribute money for college if they can. I feel that this isn’t even a question since schools calculate financial aid based on parents’ income. As long as the school gives adequate aid based on the family’s financial situation I don’t see why parents couldn’t or wouldn’t pay. Obviously the kid should do his or her part by getting a job on campus and over the summer (and most schools assume this is so in calculating financial aid), but from my perspective it’s the parents’ responsibility to pay if they can afford it, as a college degree is so important nowadays in securing a job. Maybe it’s just how I was brought up, but to me an education is one of the most important things, and something that shouldn’t be denied because of money, especially if you have the money but simply aren’t willing to spend it…</p>
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<p>I’d like to know which colleges these are that ARE affordable without parental involvement, since most people DON’T earn a significant amount in scholarships. You can work your way through community college and get a borderline useless associates degree all well and good, but if you go that route you eliminate 99.9% of your chances of ever getting merit aid at a 4 year school. So then what?</p>
<p>If they can, then yes, it is their responsibility. </p>
<p>After what the scholarships and loans left over, my mother and I split the $1500 for my bill and I bought the bulk of my books. Next semester, when I transfer (again) I won’t have to pay that cash amount because my loans cover everything and they’re all in my name, but my mother has offered to pay at least half of the loan debt that I have because she feels it’s her responsibility to help.</p>
<p>I’ve had a job since I was 16 and worked full time the last two summers. I had a job lined up at my current school a month and a half before I ever even set foot on campus. BUT because financial aid is determined by the family’s EFC and because it is SO hard to qualify as an independent when you’re an undergrad, if the parents can help, they should.</p>
<p>Yeah the only problem is what about the parents that can’t help? My family doesn’t contribute to my education costs but their EFC still affects the amount of need based aid I can get. I had a scholarship but it wasn’t one that you can renew each year.</p>