Our sons' $189,000 student debt is delaying our retirement

CNN ^ | 11/30/2015 | Matt Egan

[boycott]

Higher education is a total scam.

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Yes it is. Colleges and universities know they can charge whatever they want and, if the student cannot afford it, they can just get money from the government. They’ve got a blank check.

It is past time for the education bubble to burst.

Parents and students make choices. If they make bad choices concerning their child’s education, it should not be our problem.

[Lorianne]

Parents should not be accomplices to this fraud.

Of course, it is their right to participate in fraud, but I personally do not like to hear them complain about it.

[jonascord]

This economy is BOOMING!!! Ask any Dimshevik. I read it in the NYT, just the other day.

That some child, and his parents, should obligate themselves to the tune of $189,000 so that their entirely useless snowflake can larn how to rite gud, FOR TV, for cripes sake!

I didn't think anyone could be that profoundly retarded. Apparently, half the country is.

[CIB-173RDABN]

“...and even cosigned on some of their student loans.”

And there is their problem. Since I became an adult many years ago I made it a policy to NEVER and I mean NEVER cosign on a loan.

I have had to deal with a few unhappy relatives but better that then me paying for something I did not get.

Student loans have become the indenture servants of the modern age.

The only reform I would support is to allow the loans to be discharged in bankruptcy and second the government not involved in any way.

[cowboyway]

Their only hope is a Clinton presidency where she will waive and forgive all student debts.

And pass the bill to the producers reducing our income and extending our years in the work force.

[angcat]

Hey lady who gives a shit. You should have figured out your college finances before hand. If you can't afford all that debt go to community college or take up a trade. My kid is not becoming an MD because she does not want 500k debt so instead she is doing ROTC and going to Grad School to become a PA.

[SeekAndFind]

RE: Tim graduated from Rutgers University with a bachelor’s degree in journalism and media studies.

What are the chances of these folks ever retiring with this kid’s degree?

[euram]

Back in the good old days, schools pretty much steered those they knew were not good college material into industrial arts classes, and when the kids graduated, they gravitated towards trade schools. Some would get into apprentice programs. But, somewhere along the way, it was decided that every kid should go to college. That has lead to a vast dumbing down of the colleges, because not everyone is college material, and there is nothing wrong with that. We need more good mechanics, plumbers, electricians, and tradesmen. We need far fewer lawyers, social workers, English majors, History majors, Women’s studies majors, Black studies majors, etc., etc.

[Diana in Wisconsin]

Absolutely NO mercy from me. I told my boys (step-son and nephew) I would help them with tuition for a Trade School. If they went a different route, and ESPECIALLY if the went to a LIBERAL UW college, they wouldn’t get a dime from me.

Both have computer degrees and are well employed. And as an added bonus - no debt for ANY of us and neither of them are living in my basement!

Suh-Weeet! :)

[TNoldman]

These parents made a poor choice - now live with it and quit whinning.

Be sure to cosign when they want a car and house.

[fuzzylogic]

Guess which loan I have has the highest interest rate?

Yep - student (parent) loan 7+%.

For these parents...59 and think you’d be retiring, really? Plus, that much money and you knew what programs they were in, really? What did you think would happen?

[TigerClaws]

The guaranteed loans are what drives up the costs. Take away the loans and costs will go down.

[CSM]

Friggin crybabies. Choices have consequences, they made the choice and now want to be free from the consequences!

Dear family in the article, “Suck it up buttercup.”

[Night Hides Not]

Of course, it is their right to participate in fraud, but I personally do not like to hear them complain about it.

"It's not my fault!!!"

My wife worked her way through college, my bachelor's degree was paid for via a 4 year Army ROTC scholarship, and my master's through the GI bill.

My oldest son wanted to attend Florida State. Based on his performance in HS, or lack thereof, it was easy to say "Hell NO!" Gave him a chance to prove to us he could do the work by getting his AA first. That went nowhere fast.

My daughter did better, going to Univ. of North Texas, but she rang up about 30K in student debt.

My 13 YO son has at least his first two years covered, thanks to the equity in our house, which we plan to sell within 3-4 years.

And he's already heard my answer to his older siblings when they thought we weren't supporting their "academic aspirations."

"You're in the first semester of your freshman year of college. We have already provided you more support than our parents did for your mom's bachelor's degree, and my bachelor's and masters. We paid 100% of our own college education, through scholarships and working. You chose not to pursue scholarship opportunities, and that was your choice, and you will have to live with that."

[exit82]

I think these parents need a safe space........

Boo frickety hoo.

[TexasCajun]

Screwed up getting a degree for Journalism.

Journalism is dead!

Should have gotten a degree in Liberal Activism.

Oh wait, never mind...

[AppyPappy]

HAHAHAHAHAHAHA....morons

[boycott]

The guaranteed loans are what drives up the costs. Take away the loans and costs will go down.

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Exactly! These so-called places of higher learning basically have a blank check from the tax payers.

[Grams A]

I’m mid-70’s and still working, my kids paid for their own college, but my taxes, insurance, utilities and groceries keep going up, house always needs something fixed. Having sympathy for them just doesn’t happen to be on my bucket list.

[wbarmy]

My daughter has spent the last four years paying her way through college packing books into boxes at a distribution center. When she graduates, she will have no college debt. I do not like her Major, but she has earned and paid approximately 90% of her education herself, I have chipped in the other 10%.

If she is willing to work that hard for her dream, I am willing to pay. But she HAD to work for it!!!