How long should a parent help their college age student financially; when does a parents responsibility end?

Answer 1

I think once a college kid has graduated, then the parents should begin to reduce their financial responsibility to the student. Of course, there are many expectations to this idea. Some families may chose to do this when the student is still in school, some after. It all depends on the families situation, how they feel about money, and if the college aged person has the ability to begin supporting themselves. But, after college parents need to begin cutting those financial ties.

I don't agree that a parent should make their child move out of the house or give no financial help to the young person, if they really need it. Each family needs to discuss what works best.

Maybe, after graduation the parents will offer to pay the student's loans until they find a full time job (sometimes tough for new grads) or a parent may allow the child to live rent free, have access to all amenities in the home and free food; but make them pay for all their own clothing, personal items/belonging, transpiration needs, health insurance, etc.

Answer 2

Hopefully you're planning for a future conversation, not trying to define the boundaries while you're in the middle of the lake.

If you made a commitment to pay for the student's college expenses, then once graduation takes place, I would think your obligations are met.

If the student is of college age but has decided not to attend college (or started and then quit), they should not expect to be supported by you without limits.

A parent's job is to raise their child to become a productive, contributing member of society. You set the expectations and then help them meet those expectations. When they don't, you work together to get back on track. And if there's resistance or refusal to carry their share, they're on their own.

I don't advocate tossing them in the street (except under the most dire and critical of circumstances), but a parent who allows their children to live at home without some sort of financial and household responsibilities is not doing that child any favors.

Even momma birds push their babies out of the nest at some point.

Answer 3

Well I'm not really sure about what your current families situation is but in my family I am a full time student attending a community college and my parents do not help what so ever, the jobs that I work directly pay for the classes I take (and funny enough I work at the same college where I work). I never ask my parents for help what so ever, because according to them its a sign of weakness and they tend to bring it up over and over again in front of other people and make fun of me because of it, I've gone about 6 years without asking for anything.

Now what my personal belief is (now I'm assuming he/she's age is around my own, which is in the low 20s) that this is the time where your child is first away from home (in most cases) and they no longer have mom and dad to rely on so its somewhat of the first test to see how they do in the real world, if you end up helping to much they could become reliant on your help and then have trouble later fending for themslefs. "Give a man a fish and he will eat for a day, teach a man to fish he will eat his entire life",So my advice is tell your child that if they need help to come to you, but its not an everyday thing and only to be used when they REALLY need help, and that asking for help when you need it is not a weakness, but ONLY when you really need it, then when they come to you make sure they really do need help.

Answer 4

In my opinion, financial responsibility ends when a child turns 18. Parents are not legally obligated beyond that point. That's how I was raised, that's how my husband was raised and that's how we're raising our children. Some might say we're cold-hearted or mean but that's reality. By the time our children are 18 they will be self sufficient and able to take care of themselves.

Answer 5

I think there is no age that is appropriate as long as the son or daughter is working, going to college and being an overall good kid. If the son or daughter doesn't work and gets awful grades, you have to draw the line somewhere.

I am 23, and married, but my mom is going to help me pay off some of my student loans.

Answer 6

If they are going to school full time and getting good grades and YOU can afford it, support him or her as long as they need until they get on their feet. If they are married, however, I think you could help them out if they need it, but it is their responsibility to support themselves.

Answer 7

as long as they are able. if your child/student can freely concentrate on his studies and have fewer worries/obligations...

Answer 8

when they are old enough, to take care of themself.and work for a living