Speaking as a Mom of kids that got educated at what I consider a low cost:
1. Son. He played golf in hs, and when a junior, took advantage of a program Ohio had where he could go to a 5 county vocational school ,was in their Computer IT program, went to a community college that was across the street. The classes at the cc were paid for (by Ohio?). It was all done so he could still be on the hs golf team.
He graduated from hs with 35 college credits, besides the IT classes from the vocational school.
After hs graduation, he attended another cc about the same distance from our house in the opposite direction. Those 2 years were free because his hs average was over 3.5. Our plan, as parents, were that he would continue college after that, but he decided he had enough. He had 3 cc computer degrees. Plus, he played golf on their team (and made the only hole in one in a tournament in the team’s history. He knew he probably would not be chosen to play if on the team of a larger school, and what he wanted to do was PLAY, so cc it was)
His experience of teaching there, using what he learned there, plus the golf experience, his father and I feel would not have been matched anywhere else.
It enabled him to live here, saving money.
We bought a Ford Ranger for him to drive in hs, and then the other 2 kids used it too – one of the smartest purchases we have made.
He now works in networking for a hospital and is the hospital representative when a vendor invites them to a golf outing.
So, #1 Son playing taxes
2. Daughter. Very very intelligent, skipped the 8th grade, was out of HS for a bit because of scoliosis sugery, but still graduated with the older class. She said she didn’t know exactly what she wanted to do so she went to the cc her brother did, because it was free (hs average higher than 3.5) – and used the Ranger.
After those 2 years, she decided to get her RN. It was paid for by the Ohio program we got in when the kids were babies. It allowed us to buy college credits at ’85,’87, and ’88 prices, that they could use at any Ohio college, as credits whatever they were priced at. Son #1 didn’t need his, son #3 didn’t need his, and Ohio allowed us to transfer the credits to any child, so her nursing school was paid for.
She got hired as an RN at a local hospital, they paid for her to get her BS in nursing. They will also pay for her pharmacy degree which she’ll start whenever she makes the deadline to sign up.
So, #2 Daughter paying taxes
3. Son Early in his senior year of hs, said he wanted to join the Navy. I grew up in the ‘70s and have those memories, but kept my mouth shut. They had a program that once a month he would go down to the Navy office, and learn Navy stuff, letting him out if he so desired. He did not, and unlike a lot of people, came out of military service with an education (nuclear propulsion, ET), that he is using today.
He got employed, and knew enough to get reimbursed for his GI bill
So, # 3 Son paying taxes
The biggest cost of their education was the Ford Ranger we bought, and the insurance on it. I don’t remember the amount exactly, but I think we had $8000 in college credits, of which we got about $1500 back. They all lived here for a bit, but I don’t really count that as an expense.
All 3 kids lived here, but our house is set up in a way that they could come and go privately (though many times they didn’t). They each eventually bought new vehicles, and we let our daughter use the $5000 Ranger trade in for hers
Our goal, as parents, was that each would grow up and be educated enough to pay taxes. DONE
We did not feel it our responsibility to enable them to be rich, that’s on them.
However, they are 30,31, 33 and earn $70,000 - $90,000 and within the last 4 years have purchased homes.
