Nope. I have no intention on giving my kids a free ride to college. They know this also. They must earn thier way to college by scholarships, grants, small loans, and VERY part time jobs. Thier job in life right now is to get the best and highest grades they are capable of.
I have invested alot of time, ( and some money) into helping my kids in school. I am involved, helping in thier class, assisting the teachers, but I also buy and borrow books, and I personally have tutored them, read with them, and signed them up for academic enrichment classes, summer school and college courses. Oldest Dd is talking AP classes in HS and I will pay for the AP exam. I will also pay for the ACT, SAT, and purchse preactice books for her. I will pay college application fees, ect. This is the only sort of investment I am willing to make. But the onus is on them to "earn" thier way to college with high grades.
In our state, if a student passes thier AIMS test ( the state written standardized test required for graduation) with all levels EXCEEDING- that student will have thier tuition paid for by our state at one of our 3 public universities. I'm confident if my kids can achieve this goal, I can come up with enough money to cover dorm fees and food , and books and other expenses from our savings as a well as a few meager scholarships we are applying for. I will do anything in my power as paarnt to provide enough help, tutoring, and assistance so my kids can exceed standards on this test.
I know that no everyone agrees with me, but this is what I came up with that I was comfortablewith when I knew, that with our income level, we would never be able to afford 2 college educations. We are pinching every penney to save for retirement- and we are worried it won't be enough.
|