How Do We Get Our Kids Through College When We Don't Have Any Savings

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[angeliemorano]

My siblings and I all graduated from university without our parents’ financial help. Well we knew in high school that my parents would not be able to help us financially. So we had to figure things out on own. I got a full ride at a university that would typically cost 20k/year at that time. I did get a composite score of 32 on my ACT and graduated top 1% in my class which automatically qualified me for a full ride scholarship. While going to university, I lived at home to save money on living expenses. I also worked full time as a waitress while I was going to school full time. Waitressing made me so much more money than a minimum wage job! I started waitressing when I was 18. My siblings got some scholarships and also lived at home and worked full time to cover the rest. We didn’t take in any student loans. So as a summary 1) do research on local in-state colleges as to what it takes to get automatic scholarships: ie GPA, ACT/SAT scores and work towards it, 2) Stay local and have child live at home, 3) have them work while going to school

[alvinnguyen]

Everyone should go to community college, thatll drop prices quick time

[ZombieProdigyUS]

Community college is the ONLY way to go unless you get a full ride wherever. The only time that a school's name matters for graduate degrees pressuming you want a life in academia, thats all.

[swn]

Why is it that parents believe it is their responsibility to pay their kids through college? My mom was broke. My dad was absent. I joined the military and put myself through college with zero college debt. My son could have stayed home and went to any CA state school tuition free (CalVet program) or join the military and do what I did and he did not want to do that. I did it... so can he.

[blossoming]

Contacting the college you plan to attend to get a scholarship list is always a good idea.

[adamhlj]

The "easiest" money I ever made in college was my scholarships. Filling out the forms, writing a few essays, etc netted me SO much college money!! And I wasn't a great student by any means.

[SimpleFull]

Solid advice as always. I would also say surround yourself with hard working friends in school. Stay focused on your goals!

[jimcartwright]

I know that costs have gone up since I went to college 55+ years ago. But community college, living at home, and working 20 hours a week gets two years out of the way CHEAPLY. If you have really good grades, you will be admitted to a PUBLIC IN-STATE university. You probably will get a scholarship.
Live in the dorm, if possible. No need for a car or being dependent on the city bus system. If You have to live off campus, do what my children did, rent a room in a house near campus.
Finally, take a degree with earning potential. No one cares about my history degree with honors and publications. . But I got a teaching position over the phone because I have 7 biology and and 5 chemistry classes without teaching certificate. I got certified as I taught. I have no problem with any and all majors, as long as there is NO STUDENT DEBT!!!

[debrawilliams]

I worked my way through school and raised a child! It can be done. They will appreciate education more! Believe that!

[xLifeinmotionx]

Do dual enrollment and/or AP classes, so you take college courses for free in high school. Absolutely apply for tons of scholarships. Do not neglect the small ones. Too often people refuse to apply for smaller scholarships because they're "not worth it." Do you know what that means? That means it leaves little to no competition for those who actually apply to them. I know someone who went to college for free simply by applying for smaller scholarships that everyone overlooked.

[Thundarr]

I didn't go to college and I'm doing very well. None of my siblings went either. We're all doing just fine. Probably better than many people who went to college. Plus we don't have student debt to repay, and my mom was able to retire and not have to worry about running out of $$ and going back to work someday. I'm not saying not to go. Sometimes trade schools are a good choice. A lot of times, companies hire someone straight from graduation, right into a decent paying job, like automotive technician, HVAC. Journey level plumber can make over 100k, electricians, carpenters make good$$ too.

[Magdalena]

My best friend went to Columbus community college and she loved it. We're from around that area and it wasnt too pricey for her.

[Eaglejake]

So, for a recap, it is the father's fault that the two girls have no money for college? Did I get that right?

[ladykemma]

Have them do a high school training program of welding hairdressing Nurses Aide Pharmacy tech most of these programs are in high school and you come out as a certified whatever out of high school . use that to go to school as well. I personally got a certified nurse's aide in high school and then I used that for college. worked Tuesday Thursday and Saturday. I went to classes Monday Wednesday and Friday.

[jeanandrade]

There’s no reason why you should go to a 4 year school for your undergrad years. Take your eng 101 and other prerequisites in a community college unless you have a full ride or scholarships that equal the price of a community college

[ominous]

My advice is go to a community college the first year or 2, transfer to a state university to finish. Employers don't have to know you went to a CC. Pay for each semester with FEDERAL student loans. They have the most transparent interest rates. Work part time if you can manage. Major in a marketable skill that will get you a job straight out of school. Don't take more than $50K in student loans.

[gabyszabo]

A thorough, thoughtful, helpful, frank response.

[heatherharmon]

I never hear Dave talk about having kids checking into private vs public too. Private colleges often give more financial aid than public. Also, my mom worked at a state school in Ohio where I got free tuition. I didn't finish for stupid reasons. When I wanted to go back and finish my BA, I started working at a private college in financial aid where my tuition was free again. I now work at a large university where I get to go to grad school free and my children and spouse can go too. Even if you mow lawns or work in housekeeping, you can often get a discount. All depends what state you are in of course.

[theshark]

Not everyone should go to college and not everyone can afford it. And don’t something like half of students quit?

[JustMe-dnfh]

Where did this value system of saving for children college come from? Pay as you go is my opinion. Parents we do sacrifice a lot for our children but they have to work a little baby sitting or pizza delivering, part time to save up for school. Don’t touch any 401k money or any thing like this. You may have a harder and shorter time to pay the money back. Your young adult children are not looking out for you in your retirement. So, plan somewhere extra money is earned and pay for school as they go.