Lincoln Tech Rep.

[Janet]

A representative from Lincoln Tech came to talk with us about Ricky attending their technical school. Ricky is interested in high performance autos. The rep tells us there is a big market for it also, but I am having trouble right now taking in all the information. I don't see out anyone can afford to go to college, the tech school prices are outrageous. He's going to have to get some grants or something because we don't have it. I won't mortgage our home, so Ricky will have to figure something out.

I wish I understood more of it. I feel bad that Ricky was stuck with such loser parents.

[Tink]

Janet, you are NOT losers!
If not having the cash to hand your kids for college makes you losers, then there are a LOT of us in that same boat.
If all people had the money there'd be no need for student aide; most students have to take out loans, apply for grants, and work to get through. I'm not sure that's really a bad thing! Nothing has more value than something we ourselves had to earn... when everything is given to us, it isn't nearly as cherished.

All 3 of my kids are taking out loans for school. Berry to get her RN (from LPN) Katie for criminal Justice and now Joel is working on his enrollment to be an engineer in medical electronics such as Cat scans and MRI machines. Shannon too has enrolled in the LPN program, so we're going to have a lot of our family in school all at once, and every one of them is having to find financing.

I don't think that makes ANY of us losers. We're winners 'cause our kids will have an education and be able to support themselves in a much better way once they've completed their studies.

[Emmsmom]

You are not a loser!!!! There aren't many of us that can shell out that kind of cash. My daughter is only 11 and more than likely we won't have that kind of cash either. When I was in college I had to apply for Pell Grants and then I had to get a partial loan. There are ways around it. I am sure things will work out. {HUGS}

[Janet]

You're absolutely right Tink!! Thank you so much for making me see it differently. I was just feeling so down after the guy left. Feeling a little uneducated (I didn't go on to college) and like I didn't do my job as a parent to save. When we did save a little, something always came up.

Thank you again for making me not feel like I failed. Sometimes it's just hard, ya know?

[gja1000]

I teach in a university and most of the students have to work and support themselves and pay their own tuition & books - it's the rule rather than the exception. You are definitely NOT a loser, you are in the majority of people who work and it takes about all you make to live.

[DianaB]

When Dae Lynn went to college she got Pell Grants and student loans. We tried to help out where we could with some expenses but we didn't help much. Tell Ricky that he needs to apply for scholarships and save as much money as he can for school. Dae Lynn worked in high school and she and a friend spent all of it! She was very sorry for doing that later. There are teachers and couselors that can help you figure out how to apply for loans and grants. The money also helps to pay for books and living expenses. I don't know what we would have done without it!!!

[AngieDoogles]

Originally Posted by gja1000

I teach in a university and most of the students have to work and support themselves and pay their own tuition & books - it's the rule rather than the exception. You are definitely NOT a loser, you are in the majority of people who work and it takes about all you make to live.

This is true. Brendon and I pay our own way as do most of our friends. There are some students whose parents foot the bill, but honestly, they don't tend to do as well in their classes. They cut class, don't do the work or don't do it well, etc. They don't realize the impact of how much it costs! If it's your own money being spent, you're more likely to make the most of it. I think it's BETTER for the student to use scholarships, grants, or their own money to go to college. (Grants and scholarships also lead to more responsible students because you can lose them if their grades aren't adequate.)

This doesn't make you a bad parent at all!

[Tink]

Janet, I didn't go to college either. Greg jokingly calls me the queen of state licenses; as I took short courses that got me certified/licensed in Emergency medicine; nurses aid; Insurance agent; and Realtor. None were any more than a 6 month Tech school program. I have often wished I'd gone for my RN like I originally planned so that I could work in ER, but I just never got that far. Instead I got married, had 3 kids and was busy working to keep a roof over our heads and food on the table. Now that I am free to do it, my health won't allow it. But I enjoy being home breeding my dogs and really have no regrets.

[Lindsey]

I totally agree with Angie. My parents hadn't put away any money for my schooling, and there was no way they could afford it. I tried getting a student loan but was denied, but I ended up getting a student line of credit from my bank. I worked a lot harder in my classes, knowing I'm paying a lot of money for that education! And I think it really taught me a lot of responsibility early on. Without my parents to support me I had to deal with budgeting and cutting out a lot of things I didn't need. And even now that I've graduated I feel so much prouder that I put myself through school.
But for my older brother, my parents stepped in and paid for him to go to school to be an electrician. He had to go for 2 months every year for 4 years. To put things in perspective, he has made between $25 and $30/hr for the past 6 years, and that is working usually 10-12 hour days (he is paid time and a half for anything over 40 hrs/week). Oh and while he's in school he gets paid EI which is 60% of his regular wage. But he cannot handle money for the life of him, and he had to rely on my parents to pay for a place to stay, and even groceries and bills the whole time. His company pays his tuition. He still does not know how to handle money, he is almost 26 and still gets my parents to pay his bills when he can't. I would absolutely be ASHAMED to be relying on my parents like that, and I'm the baby!
Anyways, don't feel bad about not being able to pay for schooling. Ricky is smart enough that he will be able to handle things In the long run I definitely think it'll make him more responsible and it's really a good way to learn how to be an adult!

[Janet]

Thanks everyone. The Rep did leave information about Pell Grants and Scholarships and said that Ricky will be bombarded this Senior year with all kinds of information. I honestly didn't realize how much an education costs. What he is wanting to do only takes 15 months, but it costs $28,000.00 plus. Wow...that is more than it cost us to build our home.

[Tink]

Katie's 2 yr criminal justice program is $20,000. It's an online program so she never steps foot in the school itself. Not cheap, but what can you do? Everything's gone up and you either pay or do without.

[Janet]

At this time, he is really wanting to do this. So...we will stand behind him and help in any way we can. Thanks again, ladies...you all are the absolute best.

[2tiredmom]

Janet,
your not a loser. But you are lucky. You have one child. I've got 3. Emily got
help but we are still paying on her loans. Dustin has a grant this year plus he has a loan also that he won't have to start paying on until after he graduates. He's living in an apartment this year with 3 other people. But we are still helping him with his tutition. Then when he gets out of college Jennifer will be starting.
It's a vicious cycle. We didn't have the money to save either. Keep your chin up it will work out.

[Janet]

Thanks Linda! Ricky won't have to start paying his back (if he gets a loan) until 10 months after he graduates...so that's a good thing too. He just better work his butt off...LOL.

[2tiredmom]

Janet,
I know I just hope Dustin can find a teaching job when he gets done with college so he can pay his back too. But he's also thinking about getting married when he gets out of college. Go figure.