My older kid was an RA for 3 semesters. It was a lot of work and meant DC was the last to leave campus and the first to return on breaks (especially if you draw break duty for kids staying in the dorms). But the compensation was worth about $10k/semester plus a stipend, and the guarantee of on campus housing, which was cheaper and far more convenient than signing a lease in the city, was a big plus. It was totally DCs choice and did translate to a summer job after graduation.

And FWIW my kid is definitely not a “bossy overachiever type” at all.

Give him the money he'd save you. All, or some of it anyway. Like a salary. I didn't want to be an RA but if my kids had wanted to, I would have been enthusiastic for them.

My DC did was a RA for one term before going abroad Jr. year. It was a great thing to put on a resume and saved us some money - a lot went into it in terms of training, commitment. DC went straight to law school after undergrad and did very well in admissions-apparently being an RA is looked upon favorably in terms of demonstrating responsibility and maturity - which was a bonus!

My DS was an RA at a SLAC. He received a monetary break on housing and sorry, I can’t remember how much. Nothing for food.

You need to land the helicopter mom. You have an adult child in college who is capable of making this decision on his own, and would need to do the work of being an RA, even if he’s not an “overachiever.”

Yes, often students are RAs to get the free housing. The benefits to your own child if “you don’t need the money” are ones he needs to figure out.

Freshman DS went to an info session recently. Free room and board and stipend (which I’m guessing why 99% of the kids do it)

Given we don’t need that financial assistance, would it be a waste for him to do it? Doesn’t seem to translate well to professional life anyway (tends to attract bossy, overachiever types which is the opposite of my son)