It's their money, not yours. Who are you to say what's right and wrong to buy with their own money?

Indeed it's not enough, but parents should just be able to pick up the excess debt, if that. You should've been working for 2 or more years already, after all.

Chen...how great would it be to not have to carry all that debt when trying to start your life after if you parents had a fund or did some sort of preparation for when you are ready to go to college. That was when you have children you can help them out. Parents are obligated to the children they brought into this world. We didn't ask to be made. I agree with the previous invest in birth control if you are not ready for the responsibilities of parenting.

2 - I'm with 15. As much as you would probably like to think otherwise, your parents are not obligated to fund your college education. Did you ever think that maybe they want you to put in your own money and time to pay for it so you might appreciate it a little more?

I was working at 15, my dad and I split college funds. He paid for the courses and I paid everything else, including maintenance on my car, my phone bills, food, and any other outside expenses. Some parents don't have a "college fund" for their kids because they are still paying back their student loans or other loans (such as mortgage, hospital bills, car loans for the kid...) But saving money to buy a new dog while your child needs help financially is irresponsible and just a bit cruel. I knew I could count on my parents if I needed any outside help.

#41, total bullshit! I paid zero for my college education and no one appreciates the value of education more than me. I am actually using my education in my current employment. I was shocked and saddened to see how many people took on one of the most rigorous engineering programs in America, yet didn't want to go into the field afterwards. Some of those assholes may have paid for their schooling and they appreciated the value of their education a lot less than me. Your argument is invalid.

2 We live America. Therefore the American dream comes in here we work our way up from scratch.

Kyu, that would be great. In fact, that's an envisioning of a near perfect world. However, in the middle of a recession, combined with American culture, everything's far from perfect. Sometimes, people just have to fend for themselves.

45, not everyone gets a free ride through college on the backs of scholarships and parents. Be more noting of people's situations, economically and otherwise.

#59, you missed the point completely. I'm saying that there isn't necessarily a correlation between paying for an education and appreciating it. I hope in your self-financed education you will learn to read.

And you missed my point completely. There is indeed no correlation, but you seem to be going to the biased standpoint that other people didn't enjoy it as much as you simply because they had to pay for it. There is indeed no correlation, because the economy and incomes of families effects it. I'm not the one bragging about their value of education and then turning around to blindly insult someone half agreeing with me.

My parents did have a college fund for me when I was younger. However, my mother's bad financial skills lead to it all going to late fees and overdraw fees. Now, I'm looking forward to over $25,000 worth of debt (interest included) in three years time and I've only in my second semester. Luckily, the graduate school program I plan to attend to get my Masters Degree and Doctorate is one which you do not pay tuition for. Instead you work as a research assistant and a professor for the undergraduate school. My parents could contribute money right now, but my mom, who plays on Facebook all day and buys credits for the games on Facebook, thinks that I should be paying for it all my self. She has told me multiple times that if she wins the lottery, then she would give money to my friends before she gave money to me because I need to understand the value of money. (Ironic to me, since the late fees and overdraw fees seem beyond her comprehension and going out to eat once a week, two cases a beer a week, and go out drinking at least once a week are necessary expenses to her.) Parents may not have the money to pay for college, but if they can contribute something, they should. Maybe they shouldn't pay for the whole thing, but helping your children start their adult lives seems like something parents should do if they can. College is expensive. The economy is still recovering. Families need to stick tighter together than they normally would. I know that if I have the option when I'm a parent, I will contribute. Even if the economy has repaired itself, I will more than likely pay something towards my children's college education. If they don't want to go to college, then that is fine too. I'll give them money towards starting off their adult life still, if I am able. If they aren't serious about college, then I'll stop paying for it. I will not allow my kids to be those idiots wasting money because they don't care about their future at the moment. (Those idiots are a full range of people, even people who work their butt off to go to college and stay in college. Some people just can't get the idea that they're paying directly to learn in higher education systems and that if they are trying to learn, they might as well not even attend in the first place.)

#69, your reasoning skills are poor. "No correlation" means that the appreciation of an education is not related to who financed it. You are implying that I said that there in a negative correlation, but I said no such thing. Also, "enjoy" and "appreciate" mean two different things. I'm kind of seeing why your parents aren't too enthusiastic to pony up money for you to attend college.

I think perdix's mood is currently "berserk".

Again, blindly slinging around insults. Did I ever say anything about my personal situation?

I'm paying for my own education, but that doesn't mean it's easy, #29. I started working 2 weeks after I turned 16, I'm now 21. I've now made it through 3 years of college with only a couple thousand in debt, but nonetheless I'll STILL end up with debt, period. And I'm just going to a state university, which isn't as expensive as some of the schools out there. Everyone spouting off about "you're an adult, you should be on your own" should remember to take this into account: 18 is the age most people graduate high school, and that USED TO be the point in time where your parents had provided you with everything you needed to go out into the real world and be successful on your own. Today, however, that age margin is slowly changing. College degrees are now required to get most high-paying jobs, which are not attainable until anywhere from 21-23. I don't know if any of you have ever needed a loan for anything, but a good portion of places will not let you sign for one without a cosigner until you're 21. You're carried on your parents' insurance until you're in your mid-twenties. They can claim you and your tuition in their taxes (even if they aren't paying for it) until you're in your mid-twenties. A lot of the privileges of being an adult are not gained until you're in your twenties, a lot of which come from people realizing that 18 simply isn't a mature enough age for everyone to be on their own. Parents are expected to help provide for their children until they have all of the skills and opportunities to succeed independently, and that age is rising. That's not to say that they should give you anything and everything you want material wise. A college education is something essential to your entire future (except in some cases), and it's expected of young adults to go to college. It's kind of perplexing that society practically demands that you go to college, but yet they make it impossible to pay for. A lot of parents try to help their children out because they know how important and also how difficult it is. That alone does not make a person spoiled or irresponsible or entitled. It just means that they have loving parents who can take on that kind of expense and are willing to do what it takes to make sure the child they brought into the world is equipped to take on its challenges.

I'd have to say that parents should fund a portion of college! In my personal opinion, just tuition and books and fees. The rest should be done on your own because they are living expenses and it's good for people to learn on their own!

45 - My comment regarding appreciation was my personal opinion on the situation. Just like I'm sure it's only your opinion that nobody values an education quite like you do. Unless you've asked around, of course, and that's the consensus?

A new puppy is always something to get excited about!

It sure is

5- She could foster a dog from a rescue and see if her first dog gets along with, then proceed to adoption with minimal fees. Atleast that's how it worked with both of well-loved doggies. ;)

* Gets along with It, and both of My dogs. Note to self; think twice, post once. :p

People aren't children when they go off to college. They are adults, adults who should support themselves not mooch off their parents.

Yeah, it's pretty cruel if someone has a child and isn't financially set to pay for their college....

There are ways to get through college without relying on parents. My mom can't afford to help me, and personally, I'd personally feel guilty if I asked her to pay several thousand dollars.

Several thousands? Several tens of thousands is more accurate.

Some countries have free education up to university level. You have to get good grades, though, since number of free positions for students is limited (say, 175 people per course in large university). Doesn't USA have that? Even if there are no free education in your area, you should be able to find something for you if you try - there might be remote education courses you could apply to, etc, perhaps education in other country will be cheaper (you ARE speaking english, after all, and it is supposed to be international). By the way, you seriously can't expect every person that JUST became adult to pay for their own education. Tuition fees are normally high and are larger than a amount that a person without prior work experience can make.

Community colleges are a lot cheaper than university, I don't understand why young adults always seem to want to go straight to a big name school right off the bat. I spent 5 years at a community college got my degree and a linguistic skills certification, and was able to apply to a university for my BA. Then I would only spend 1.5 years at a university versus 6.5, and my student loans would be non existent after a couple years. But for some reason kids/young adults want to go to universities, and then 2 years in say 'Hmm, I don't know if this is what I want' my younger brother is doing this now. It's insane!

#7 > For the same reason you expect parents to feed and clothe their children because, that is their responsibility to make sure their kids are given the best chance in life. Paying for their education is basic if you care for their future. I won't expect my kids to waste their time and potentially fail because they have to spend hours in some shitty job to pay for their studies. My parents paid for my studies, and that did not make me a spoiled princess who thought everything was due to me. They paid for it but I worked hard to ensure my success and didn't take advantage of the situation to be lazy. Once I got my degrees, I found a job and became fully independent and never asked for a dime from them again. Education is a right, not a privilege.

In Scotland, all education is free. I feel sorry for all you guys having to pay to be educated!

I actually dropped out and got a h.s. equivalent at 16. Since I scored so high on the test I was given a 30k academic scholarship to an college of my choice in the state of Florida.

#50, It would be nice, even if they'd lower tuitions it would be better or book costs. Most of the time in my college experience the books cost as much as the semester tuition.

50- it isnt free just a deferred payment but we dont have to pay back until we are making a substancial some. i feel bad for those that have to worry about money and getting good grades i mean yeah we struggle from time to time but we dont have to pay for everything.

16-How is it "cruel" for a parent to not pay for his/her child's college fund? It's not like the "child" (when you're college-age you're not really a child anymore) is abused in any way. I paid for my whole tuition (undergraduate and graduate) myself. I worked a little but mostly took out student loans. Yes I have a lot of money to pay back, but it is MY education, so I didn't expect anyone else to pay for me. My parents HAD a college fund for me, but our business crashed during the recession, and they were left with a ton of debt. So before someone say "don't have kids unless you can pay for their college" again, I just want to say that in my experience, some people (like my parents) COULD afford it until certain circumstances arise, and by that time "investing in birth control" doesn't do much. It would have been nice if I had some help, but just because I had to pay for my tuition does not make my parents bad parents. They provided for me when I was growing up, and I didn't have any shortage of love and support.

54, education itself is free. But, as a student you can take out a loan to cover your living costs, if you so desire. This loan only needs to be paid back when you earn enough money, or it is wiped when you are 50. It basically enables even the poorest of families to go to University. :)

Depending on how old OP is, if they just started college OP's parents should have had everything ready moneywise. I, for one, wouldn't want my daughter to start her 20's in debt.

Not true. I was 17 when I went to college I had friends who were as young as 15 in college they are in no way adults.

@47 Sometimes community colleges don't offer the programs that you want. The community colleges around me for example have maybe ten - twelve associate programs. They also are not ideal for a student that has gotten AP credits or other credits that can be translated into college credits that knock off some General Education requirements. Community colleges are really just good for knocking of General Education in more professional degrees that require even more education later on to actually be able to start your career. Also there is another issue. The prestige of the school can sometimes influence acceptance to other colleges and/or hiring decisions. High grades tend to be viewed as less demanding at lower prestige colleges. An 'A' in a community college is not treated the same as an 'A' in a state university. An 'A' in a state university is not treated the same as an 'A' at a Ivy League school. The quality of the education itself is based on the status of the college attended.

#76, while they may not offer all the courses you need, they in my opinion are the best place for anyone coming out of high school (full and partial scholarship offers aside.) Even with the foresight of knowing what you want to do, there is still a good possibility that you will change your mind. In my experience with friends, co-workers, siblings, and classmates people tend to change degree plans after about 2 years so paying 2 years at a university for the sale of the name on your degree is ridiculous.

16 Where do you think young minorities come from?

I agree with both 76 and 97. It does save a ton of money, which has made most of my college education somewhat affordable. However, it did mean I had to sacrifice the opportunity to go to a more prestigious institution later on. A lot of universities are still screening applicants based on the notion that community colleges are for the less academically driven. And I did have to give up some of my AP credits because they didn't transfer in. But I've still had some pretty great teachers in community college, and you can't beat the price of it for sure. Hopefully one day very soon the stigma associated with community colleges being "less" than a typical four year school goes away, because it's a great opportunity and you can find very intelligent students attending any institution you look at. Whether the more prestigious schools look down on me or not, I have no shame in my first two years of college being both beneficial to my future AND affordable.

#108, beautifully stated! It is unfortunate that universities tend to look down on a community college credit, but it is also ridiculous that universities charge so damn much for tuition, books, living, food, parking and just about anything else they feel they can make profit on.

64 i know all about it i studied at uni in scotland and have all the debt that comes with it. it is still a deferred payment because it is unlikely that someone will attend uni here and not take the loan for living costs at least for one year.my point was its naive to think its free because there is always something you need pay for just less than other places.

124, are you actually Scottish? Because it is definitely free for Scottish people, all my friends and my brother are in uni, and I'm starting next year. But, for people who aren't Scottish, they have to pay a small fee, which is deferred.

124, it isn't naive at all. The education itself is free. Living isn't. The government offer help for those students who can't afford to sustain themselves, while they're at uni. But, if you get a job as well, you don't need that, and can leave uni with no debts. Which doesn't happen very often, but the point I was saying of EDUCATION, not living, being free still stands. :)

yes i am scottish and i stand by my original statement. i had friends who took burseries instead of loans but the educatiin wasnt free for them either. i know im being pedantic but calling it free education is misleading because if associated costs. no one leaves uni without debt.

That's not true, man. I have a couple of friends who left without any debts. They did live at home, but they still managed to leave without debts. I don't know how many times I am going to have to say this... the education is free. Living, especially in a city by yourself without a job, isn't. End of.

It saddens me that if you cant afford it you cant go to college in america, in the UK you get loans for your tuition fees and a minimum of £3,700 maintenance loan per year, and you dont pay a penny of it off until you're in a job earning over £21,000, america sort ur ****** shit out everyone deserves the chance of getting a degree

Perhaps, Mister Bastard. She may however plan on spoiling the animals with toys, treats, baths, and of course expensive canned food. However, if you get an animal for free, might be something wrong with it. I got a bi-polar cat once for free. No need to explain how that ended.

Depending on what you adopt (breed wise), where, and who you adopt from fees can be pretty high. Not in the thousands but, my fiancée and I just adopted 2 kittens and the adoption fee alone was almost $300. That didn't include any food, litter, collars, or anything but still way cheaper than buying one from the breeder. Plus we gave 2 amazing kittens a home!

Are you sure you adopted from a shelter, #49? Or did you get ripped off? Adoption fees around here are usually $50 or so for kittens and puppies, and $75-$100 for bigger animals. That even includes microchips and spaying/neutering. OP's mom should adopt, not shop.

44- DocBastard didn't go through 4 years of evil medical school just to be called "mister"!

#84, yes we adopted from one of the humane societies around our area. Part of the adoption fee was for their prior medical bills, but my parents adopted a dog in the last two years at the fee for her was $120. Perhaps it's different in Sweden.

Okay. Mister Doctor Bastard. Does this work?

84- you're lucky they're so cheap! The prices at animal shelters here in Australia are between $250 (mostly older dogs) and $500 (most commonly around $400) to adopt a dog from a shelter.

Say it louder. Not sure why this is not thumbed up more. If you put in the effort there's lots of grants and scholarships out there to cover all classes of people. Sure, it wont pay for ivy league (US) education, but it will at least reduce some of the cost.

FAFSA, not FASFA 11. Free Application for Federal Student Aid.

It could be a 2000 dollar dogs, there are plenty of them

18, I'd enjoy hearing that the mom's idea of a friend is a purebred dog with papers and a $300,000 chew toy.