Paying for college ?

[Lauri D]

Ok need everyones help we have raised our kids to be wise with money and taught them about debt. Son has been paying for college as he goes. He has a full college schedule and still works 25-30 hrs a week. We feel hes doing awesome but hes getting down and feels like hes just spinning his wheels going no where. He doesnt see what a piece of paper worth 50,000 is going to do him. Any help or ideas?

[disneysteve]

Originally Posted by Lauri D

Ok need everyones help we have raised our kids to be wise with money and taught them about debt. Son has been paying for college as he goes. He has a full college schedule and still works 25-30 hrs a week. We feel hes doing awesome but hes getting down and feels like hes just spinning his wheels going no where. He doesnt see what a piece of paper worth 50,000 is going to do him. Any help or ideas?

What career is he preparing for? I would point out that it isn't possible to pursue that line of work without the degree (assuming that's true). That's why most people go to college after all - to prepare for a career that interest them and where they hope to spend the rest of their working lives.

Of course, there are many people who end up working in a field different from what they studied in school. Even in those cases, though, having the college degree was often necessary to get the job.

[Gary Barzel]

Aside from the benefits of having an actual degree, there is also the learning factor. What you learn in college can be of tremendous value to you in all aspects of life, as well as the hands on knowledge that you can acquire from all that your are learning. The exercises such as debating and team projects, will be if use to you in any field you decide to go into.

[mcfroggin]

30 hours + a college load is tough. Could you help with his finances, so your son doesn't have to work so hard? If not, maybe taking on student loans would be beneficial.

What are his life goals?

[dczech09]

I can speak from experience. I went to college full-time, worked 30 hours per week, was in a fraternity, had a good social life, was involved in other student organizations, and graduated from college in 4 years with a BS in Finance.

He may certainly feel like he is spinning his wheels; I felt the same way for the longest time. But I stuck to it and by the time I finished my 3rd year in school, I realized I could graduate with only one more year of studies. That is when I went into overdrive all the way until the end.

College is tough; thats why so few people actually finish. But from what I have found, it is totally a mind game. Stick to it, and before you know it, its all done.

[TCD0210]

If your son is majoring in an area that is likely to be hiring when he graduates, and he has a reasonable GPA, suggest he cut back on his work hours during the school year, and take on extra work during summer or vacation hours. A college degree, along with good internship experience and volunteer/activity experience, will put him a step ahead of all his classmates when it comes to future job offers in his field.
Our 2 daughters graduated from college in past 3 years. 1 double-majored in Biology & Computer Science; the other majored in Math/Stats and double minored in Computers and Business. Each of them had internships for 2 or 3 summers. Our daughters put main efforts into summer jobs for earning, and did minimal working during school years. Ultimately, a combo of their good GPAs, internships, work experience, and involvement on campus resulted in job offers before they had graduated. These good jobs have permitted them to pay off student loans.

Good Luck!

[photo]

Originally Posted by dczech09

College is tough; thats why so few people actually finish.

Where did you hear that few people finish?

[ir_dizzle]

If you feel (and see) your son is doing a good job, he most likely is - tell him to keep moving forward and it will be worth it! Like others mentioned don't bail him out; he will learn so much from the experience - I guarantee it!

I worked 30+ hours/ week and had a full load of college courses - it was tough and depressing at times but in retrospect it was all worth it (except for what I majored in [accounting]) but that's a completely different subject.

[jteezie]

I saw the challenge of juggling a schedule quite fun. And now in retrospect, the lessons learned - that I can do so much simultaneously in so little time - will last me forever. It's a badge of honor to be able to work and go to school. He should be proud.

Also, it will help him when he applies for jobs if he can say that he worked and carried his way through school. College shows that you can learn, working shows that you can work, combine them and you show that you can learn any job and will work hard at it. Doesn't that sound like a better deal for employers?

I did 6 years worth credits in school (they shrunk the font on my degree a lot :P) in 4 years, worked about 20hrs and also served in the military (which also came with it's social obligations). It was a tough juggling act especially when I had to block off a week at a time for the military, but I'm so glad I did it. Now I can manage any schedule, I can do any project, and I'm reliable.

Hope my story helps.

I should add one last word about the degree. He needs to think more long term. What will a HS diploma mean in 10 years? If he quits now, he will eventually end up going back to college later, when it is more expensive and after wasting years doing work he likely won't enjoy (might be too broad a generalization here).

[fishy40]

College is very important. Not only do you learn how to think on a higher level but you also make connections when it comes time to apply for jobs. You meet people from all over the country, especially from other countries. It has been the best 4 years of my life and now I have a job offer from macys for there executive management position.

[2bfrugal]

Not really advice here, but a note of how times have changed.

My father (in his late 80's) went to college for $17 a semester plus his books which were another $6.

I went to college for $52 a semester plus my book rentals and a $2 activity pass. Meals were 25 cents each and could be billed to our account, but we had the option of doing a work study (part time job on the campus) to work off the meals and book rentals.

Of course, gasoline was only 11 cents a gallon.

[Kelli-Saving Money]

Remind him college is so much more than a piece of paper. The job you will be eligible to get after graduation will set the pace for the rest of your life. You will likely enjoy a much richer (literally and figuratively) life because you went to school.