Hard work, help from parents, or loans? Tell us how you paid for college

A state Appellate Court ruling rendered last week found that parents aren't a "wallet" when it comes to putting their kids through college. The decision -- which came after a 23-year-old Gloucester County woman sued her parents so they'd help pay...

Hard work, help from parents, or loans? Tell us how you paid for college

A state Appellate Court ruling rendered last week found that parents aren't a "wallet" when it comes to putting their kids through college.

The decision -- which came after a 23-year-old Gloucester County woman sued her parents so they'd help pay for her higher education costs although she'd since moved out -- was also referred the case back to a lower court to consider whether the woman was truly emancipated. From there, a court would have to consider a few factors before deciding if the divorced parents were legally required to help fund her college.

Here's what some NJ.com readers had to say about the court ruling. Also, take our poll and let us know how you paid for college -- be it with a lot of help from your parents, a part-time job, massive amounts of student loans or a combination of that and more.

- verytired52: "I understand that the children of divorce can face obstacles in trying to get higher education, but so can all children. Her attitude of entitlement shows just how a law can be twisted. I feel that parents -- both of them -- should have a say in the education if they are the ones paying. Our government wants to support the rights of 18 years olds, but they need to teach personal responsibility.  If you're parents are supporting you then you are not independent. You need to chose."

- Neverwhere: "Not that the parents should be responsible for paying here, but this also shines a spotlight on the fact that college tuition costs are utterly out of control and their main purpose is to fleece the public."

- Dee: "I was fortunate to have an intact family that helped with college by paying my tuition; I paid the rest by working. However, my father said that he would cease that support if I did not maintain my GPA as well as if I had any behavior problems (drinking/drugs) or since it was the Vietnam era, getting involved in a riot/protest where I would be arrested. I kept myself in line and got a degree. I was proud that my parents gave me a safe home and I never went to bed hungry. I hope she grows up and realizes that she is fortunate to have what she does."

- Imme: "Emancipated or not, no parent should be obligated to pay a single cent toward a child's college costs."

- talkiseasy: "The day a kid can force a parent to pay for their college bills is the day this country goes down the crapper. Sure, pay if you can. If you can't or won't, oh well -- the kid will have to find a way. I had $40,000 saved for my son. He did two years at county, and paid for three out of four semesters there on his own. We used the $40,000 for five semesters at an New Jersey state college. He put an additional $12,000 of his savings from his job into the bills. He also took out a loan for $7,500.  I gave him a few extra grand above the $40,000 when I had it. He graduated two years ago, makes over six figures and paid his debt back in less than a year. Where there is a will, there is a way. My son had some skin in his own future -- nothing wrong with that. He invested in himself. I can't imagine being sued by my child. Pretty gross."

- damt: "Since when does a parent have to pay for college? I mean, my husband and I spent $200,000 on our two kids and now we have nothing in savings because of it and we are in out late 50s. We chose to do this, but I don't think any kid has the right to their parents money after they are 18. College is a choice; it's not mandatory."

Greg Adomaitis may be reached at gadomaitis@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @GregAdomaitis. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

 

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