Should Parents Pay for College?

As tuition costs continue to rise, parents face an increasingly difficult dilemma regarding their children’s college education: should they pay for their children to attend post-secondary studies, and if so, how much is appropriate? Before signing any checks or agreements, parents should consider their own futures.  Retirement may seem far away, but resist the urge to take funds out of your long-term savings.  Even if borrowing money seems risky, there are loans designed for students to attend college.  It is extremely unlikely that a bank will lend you money to retire because the likelihood of repayment is relatively low.  Additionally, money taken out of a retirement fund can be considered taxable income.  Since it’s viewed as additional income, your family’s eligibility for financial aid can be drastically affected the following year. […]