Determining How Much You Can (or Want to) Help Out
This isn't a subject that many people talk about, but at some point, you need to make a decision about how much you can or want to help your child pay for college.
Paying for all of a child's college expenses is out of reach for many parents, and if you do so, it may make your child less able to appreciate the gift that attending college really is. A child who really wants to attend college will find a way, either by working part time, winning scholarships, or taking out loans.
Don't assume that you and your spouse or partner feel the same way about whether to pay your kid's college expenses. While you want to try to come to a consensus, agreeing to disagree is okay, too.
Also be sure to include your growing child in this conversation. Kids who expect to pay for all or part of college will be better equipped to deal with finding money than will kids who assume money is available and then are told later that full support is not available.
Just as you can support your child financially, you can also support your child by visiting, calling, texting, sending emails, sending care packages, and so on. College can be quite lonely, especially during the first semester, and your emotional support will surely help.
