We couldn't make regular school work for our son, so we're homeschooling. Going to one income was more expensive than any private school I could think of, but it was right choice. We have seven years to go but there is nothing saved for college.

We have college covered, and we wouldn't be doing private if we didn't. I feel like funding undergrad is a must, and private school is just a bonus.

Anonymous wrote:We chose the opposite. Surprise -- we are much, much happier with public than private. Much more rigorous academics, and much more normal people (real diversity instead of buying a few poor kids). And in the meantime, 529 plan has now reached 100% funding for the entirety of any VA state university tuition, room+board, fees, and extras.

Another ignorant statement from another public school mom with a kid who couldn't get in to the privates...

Anonymous wrote:Our 529s are fully funded I think for much of what we'll need, however my parents have put in probably 80% of those funds. My parents paid for 100% of college and 75% of medical school. They could have afforded all of medical school, but wanted me to pay my own way for part of it. I worked just as hard when I had to pay part as I did when I didn't.

So presumably that makes it easier to pay for private school and you haven't had to choose between private school and college funding?

Our 529s are fully funded I think for much of what we'll need, however my parents have put in probably 80% of those funds. My parents paid for 100% of college and 75% of medical school. They could have afforded all of medical school, but wanted me to pay my own way for part of it. I worked just as hard when I had to pay part as I did when I didn't.

We chose the opposite. Surprise -- we are much, much happier with public than private. Much more rigorous academics, and much more normal people (real diversity instead of buying a few poor kids). And in the meantime, 529 plan has now reached 100% funding for the entirety of any VA state university tuition, room+board, fees, and extras.

Anonymous wrote:We were a bit worried about our DS, and thought what if there is no need to pay for college b/c he is not interested. We did not see the public encourgaing any love of learning, motivation. He is a different person in private -- all fired up and excited now.

Hi there, I'm the OP of the financial aid thread and I just want to say this speaks to me. This is what I found to be true as well, and why we are seeking FA as well as any possible way to shake more money from our tight budget. We do have a very healthy base for our college fund, having put 5 figures a year into it for DC's first three years, so we're definitely thinking to cut back on our contributions there (but not eliminate) and let the fund build on itself while we devote money to a more pressing short time need.

Anonymous wrote:*private. I hate autocorrect.

Ha! You're not too far off from pirate in paying the private costs!

We were a bit worried about our DS, and thought what if there is no need to pay for college b/c he is not interested. We did not see the public encourgaing any love of learning, motivation. He is a different person in private -- all fired up and excited now.

*private. I hate autocorrect.

I'm paying for a small private now instead of fully funding college early. I'm still saving for college. We don't plan to go private the entire way (plan is K-8). But yes, we made a choice to pay for pirate now at the expense of some college savings.

We feel that it's easier to borrow for college than private school, so we'd rather spend on private school now, then scramble for student loans for college if necessary.

Yes.

We saw it as an investment.

Increase the odds through private school of gaining entry to a "name brand" college or have enough to pay full freight and something lesser. The decision in retrospect was an easy one.

We pay for private school now, b/c that is what dc needs. Want to make sure she makes it to college if that is her potential, so we are investing in her foundation. We are counting on the fact that our home will be paid for by the time she is 12, and that we will have significantly more disposable income to save larger chunks over a shorter time period. We have only one child.

Even if the choice between private now versus only being able to partially find college later?