Anonymous wrote:I graduated high school and entered college in the early '80s.

My parents provided whatever support I needed for the college application process. They gave advice about what schools to look at, they took me on school tours, they advised me on what clothes to wear on tours, they attended tours with me, they paid all fees when asked, they recommended SAT and ACT prep classes, they helped me evaluate my ACT & SAT scores when they arrived, they reviewed essays, they gave advice about which teachers to ask for recs, they advised me what to wear to interviews, they drove to interviews with me (interviews back then were in people's houses), they advised me when my acceptances came in, they completed their parts of the applications, they reviewed my applications, etc.

I don't see how my parents differ from anything that you seem to be condemning OP.

Anonymous wrote:PP was talking about private college. When I started private college in 1900, it was $22K a year, which was a massively huge amount for my family. We got financial aid.

Public college in my state was more than $1K a semester.

What did my parents do? Fill out the FAFSA, drove me to college tours, and at my request bought me an SAT study test.

They contributed the Expected Parent Contribution.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think parents have to be more involved now due to the changes in 529s, financial aid, and student loans. For example, most on DCUM do not qualify for financial aid. So the first step to funding in gaps between 529s, $5500 load, and college expenses is to have a Parent Plus Loan. It doesn't automatically default back to the student.

My son identified potential colleges, completed his essay, and SAT prep & testing all through his school (MCPS/Naviance). From there I organized a spreadsheet for the both of us to look at. We are a middle class family, so college is not fully funded, despite our efforts to save. My husband and I helped him to identify out of state colleges that are more within our budget, and in state colleges. He applied to one private, which offered automatic aid. I simply cannot afford to tell him he can go where ever he gets accepted. The financial burden is too great for us and for him.

I completed the financial aspect of common app, and he completed the student sections. Now we are working together to identify scholarship opportunities. I'm not driving the process on my own, writing essays, or controlling the process, but I am there to help keep organized and focused. He also works outside of school (is saving), plays a winter sport, and has a full class load. He usually only has a few hours each week to fit college application items. So for us, it's very much a collaboration. He would be, and has been, overwhelmed without guidance. I find that completely understandable, because it is stressful and a cluster F at many points.

This all makes so much sense. It's become to first huge financial decision someone makes. It used to just be a few extra hours of working a PT job could pay for college. Now it's getting a mortgage. My kids are young, but this does seem like a reasonable amount of help vs hand holding vs hands off.

N0, it doesn't. When I went to college 25 years ago, it was still $20-50K per year. You cannot pay for that on a PT job.