Hannah H. Mug
Who is paying for your college education?
Is it your parents, or grandparents? Or are you the one who’s in charge?
I am fortunate enough to have parents who are able and willing to help me financially get through college. I am extremely grateful because I know that is not the case for a lot of students.
In this day and age, college is getting more and more expensive with each passing year. It is getting more difficult to afford this newfound necessity. That is where having help can be beneficial. If you have financial support from family or through other means, you can spend less time working and more time studying.
The problem comes along when students start to expect that their parents will chip in. For some families, that is not realistic. College is not always in the family budget. I have friends who are on their own when it comes to school. Their parents help with small things like books, but tuition, housing and other big expenses are on the students’ shoulders.
If you expect your parents to pay for your college, your privilege is showing. At age eighteen, you are legally an adult. While most students’ FAFSA still considers students to be “dependents,” you aren’t entitled to an education paid for by your parents.
A college education is a valuable asset to have when looking for jobs, and going to college can be a smart move for some people. However, part of growing up means knowing how to support yourself, even in small ways.
College expenses can be paid in a variety of ways, such as scholarships, grants, low-interest loans or out of pocket. While having a relative pay for your college is helpful, it’s not the only way. If you do happen to have financial help, remember to be thankful, because not everyone has that luxury.
If your parents or grandparents are paying for you to attend school, appreciate it, but also, don’t forget to apply to scholarships or grants. Get a flexible part time job to help pay for small expenses like food or other things.