Paying for college is one of the first times in our lives that we start to face a bit of reality. We get to see clearly how the real world operates with money, and how it can change the fortunes of those that have it and those that do not. It is the first time that some students get to worry about money, and it teaches us lessons that are valuable when we head out to look for a job and life of our own. One could always participate in continuing legal education seminars but college education is the way to go. Some students will have a full ride to a college education courtesy of their parents.
What many college students and their parents do not realize is that paying for your own education will help you to succeed. For those students that have their college taken care of by others, they are missing out on a wonderful life lesson. The reality is that many college students come from money, and will not need to worry about the problems of the real world of finance. This is the disparity between the rich and the poor. Still, there are thousands of others who have parents that barely squeak by while providing an education to their children.
For those that are facing hardship to provide that education for their kids, they should consider letting the student do it for themselves. There are hundreds of grants, scholarships, and financial aid options out there for students that want to go to college. They also are more than capable in most cases of working their way through. The bottom line is that if you do it for them, then they will not be ready when the time comes to take on the career responsibility of life.
Certainly it is a good idea to be a support system for your college student. There is a big difference between helping out here and there, and doing everything for them. Allowing them to take control of their finances and destiny, while providing insight and guidance along the way is the the best way to handle it.
Some of the benefits that college students get when they pay for college themselves include learning to make tough decisions, managing their money, budgeting, hard work, and one other very important thing… The biggest benefit to college students paying for their own college is the fact that they take ownership of the schooling. In other words, they take it much more seriously. It is their money at risk of being wasted rather than yours.
These decisions are tough ones to make, but they will shape the future of your children. Do not be afraid of letting go, as your children will surprise you. They will find ways to solve problems to be sure, and they will almost certainly make some mistakes. Be there to counsel, suggest solutions, and even provide some help financially, but do not do everything for them. It will cripple them in the future when they begin living in the real world.
Paying your own way through college can certainly be scary, but it is something that will help you succeed in all the most important areas of your life. Even if that means going to a cheaper school, you will get much more from it. When you graduate from college and start working, you will be glad that you learned those tough lessons early.