For college-educated conservatives: Who paid your way through school?

Question

I was prompted to ask this when I saw a question asking conservatives why they were against federal student loans. One conservative responded by saying that people should pay their own way through school. Did YOU pay your way through school, or did your parents? Did you use any sort of financial aid? Can you understand that a lot of intelligent, able people would be unable to attend college if it weren't for government financial aid programs? Sure, one could argue that these people should pay their own way through school, but it's kind of hard to pay so many thousands of dollars per semester when you have to work for a living AND pay for living expenses (food, shelter, clothing, et al.).

Penelope: You didn't answer my question! Am I assume that you're not pulling yourself up by the bootstraps?

Penelope: It's great that you have a father who's financially able to pick up 80% of the tab. Unfortunately, though, not all intelligent, capable people have parents who can help put them through school, and that's why government student financial aid programs are necessary.

rm0475: Not everyone can afford to put himself through even the local community college without some sort of assistance.

Penelope: Enabling yourself to earn a decent living and going to Disney World aren't comparable! It sounds like you take your education for granted.

Answer 1

are you kidding? I'm a Republican and support the loans, grants and scholarships. Just because one person said they should pay their own way through school does NOT mean all conservatives agree the same way. I find education extremely important, and everyone should get a college education.

Answer 2

So gov't LOANS are not ok, but daddy footing the bill is?
What about those of us whose parents cut them off at 18? Many people are cut off in high school. Are they required to suffer because their parents made a bad decision?

Gov't LOANS, not handouts help provide education for most of the country. They then pay that money back with interest. The program could pay for itself. Bush just dropped the interest rate on federal loans and also increased the Pell grant. He was hailed as a hero by his followers for it. Sounds like you guys just follow what they want you to without putting thought behind it.

Answer 3

Are you ready for this one??? My mom, me and THE US GOVERNMENT!!!

Thank you taxpayers, I really appreciate it. My dad died before I was 18, so we saved all the money I received from Social Security until the checks stopped when I reached 18. Then, the gov't kicked in with grants because of our financial situation and my mom being a widow. (Dad did not leave us well off). I worked, my mom worked and I finished my Bachelor's in 3.5 years. Never got a car till i was almost 22 and bought my own with my first real, post-college job.

I am a conservative and I believe in gov't aid for students, as long as it's legit. i.e. NO FRAUD..I support my tax dollars going for education.

Answer 4

I paid for all 6 years. My parents made too much for me to get financial aid and too little to help me pay since there were 5 other kids at home. I did get a small academic scholarship from a service organization in my hometown.
I just went out and got a regular bank loan with crappy interest rates. But my determination was stronger than my financial woes and I eventually paid back all loans.

Answer 5

My father, he was a brick layer, and he worked his vss off so that I would get a good education. I have put one daughter through college and now I have another on her way to becoming a doctor. I would say that my father made a good investment. I would also add, that upon completion of college, I had no student loan to pay back. Neither do either of my girls. What we had to do was give up vacations, partying, new cars, cable TV, and a host of other luxuries and make education our top priority. I understand that all parents can not afford to pay for their children's education but I also understand that they could do a better job if they gave up some things that they don't need in order to help.

Answer 6

Great question!
I had to suffer through high school because of my parents financial decisions.
If it wasn't for government aid I would have no chance of going to college.

It's funny because probably most of the people who are against government financial aid are the ones who have no problem with the billions of dollars being spent on war.

Answer 7

I enlisted in the Army and utilized the Army College Fund and saving half of my Army pay. I also started at a community college to receive credit for my basic studies requirements. I work two jobs while I was attending college.

It was tough, but I made it.

Answer 8

I paid and I got student loans. Which I am paying back. With interest. And I paid a lot of money for my education, for I went to a private university which was private so as to be free of bleeding hearted liberal dogma found in public universities and schools. I had to pay a lot more because I wanted to attend a school that was free to teach the subjects they wanted to teach, and using the curriculum which didn't at first have to be approved by bleeding hearted liberals.

And I'm still paying for my school, even though I've been done for years.

Answer 9

No student loans for me. Worked my way through.

But, really, parents are free to provide for thier kid's education - even a conservative wouldn't gainsay that. You'd have to be a really fringe Ayn Randian whacko to go that far out on the 'self sufficiency' limb.

Answer 10

I PAID MY OWN WAY.. Thank You !!

And worked my a$& off doing it..

Im am certainly not against grants ans loans for education for American citizens.. I have three kids to put through college.. I think you are uninformed to think that conservatives are against asistance to the needy.. that is just not true.. but We do get tired of pulling the wagon with able bodied americans that wont work because they have it too good..