Interesting subject that covers a wide range of social norms.
For us, my family, I wanted to give all the best opportunity to achieve their goals. What my parents did not, or could not do, I wanted to do.
I footed the entire summation of their colleges expenses through Federal and Private loans. Our 529 ran out on the first kid in year 2. We, the girls and I, looked hard at Grants and Scholarships. Grants were not forthcoming in amounts that would make a difference in the time spent trying to process them. My salary, did not help either. Scholarships were also few and far between. Although two out of three managed to snags some tens of thousands. Sounds like a lot? Not really, my number for three girls and 5 degrees is well over 200k.
It did not help that one changed majors and schools. It did not help that one pursued multiple degrees. See second sentence.
I guess for me, I look at this as, I have the last laugh. My girls have no excuses. They have paper, they have skills, they have networks of people, some all over the world. Yeah, one studied abroad. More $$$.
I am glad to have made a difference in some lives, maybe even yours. Two of my girls are in DoD services, and another is expanding her education in Health Care.
That's really all a parent can do, right,? Give an opportunity to make a difference. College can do that. It's just not about a paper degree, it's expanding people skills and networks and learning systems and what not.
Good luck in your decision.
