Family Lifestyle Parenting

3 Reasons Your Child Won’t Go To College – And It’s YOUR Fault

 

Will your child be able go to college? I am partnering with ScholarShare to share the reasons your kids might not be prepared for college – at your own fault.

 

little girls kids graduating cap and gown

 

It’s no secret that many disadvantaged children have it much tougher than their well off counterparts to attend and pay for college. I believe that society has made many strides in the attempt to help, but we’ve still got a long ways to go. Many of our poverty stricken neighborhoods are filled with poor, underprivileged, “just trying to make it” mentality, so it’s no surprise that college isn’t a general forethought.

 

Well, it has to be. College has to be the logical next step.

 

Needless to say (or maybe I need to say it), just because your child is from a poor or underprivileged race or family, does not mean he or she will not go to college. What I’m saying here is that, because we are aware of some of these disadvantages, we should use that awareness to jump the hurdles presented and create opportunity. Whether your child is 9 months old, 9 years old, or starting college next year, it is up to YOU, the parent, to plan and prepare your child for college.

 

Here’s 3 Reasons Your Child Won’t Go To College, Because of YOU

 

1. You don’t have your own life together, living check to check and barely making it yourself

Do you ever hear people say, “Woohoo, first of the month, it’s pay day!” or “Sorry,  Johnny can’t go on the field trip because I don’t have an extra $10.” I know so many people who overpay for everything, buy designer clothes and shoes, crappy fast food, have all of the premium cable channels, hair and nails are “did”, and other stupid extras, but can’t buy any groceries until their paycheck comes. Some of y’all want so much that you can’t afford, and you’re willing to put yourselves into major debt to do it.

If you’re one of those, STOP. Do you need all of that? Evaluate the reasons you’re running out of money and make some changes to live within your means. You’ll be setting a good financial example for your kids, and and better able to set aside some money in their college savings account. Don’t be a debt slave, your kids are watching.

 

2. You live in a terrible neighborhood, with crappy schools and you allow your child to attend them

Crappy schools = crappy education = crappy college preparedness. Their teachers, peers, educational programs, funding, administration and entire schooling experience will be a step below. I have had many conversations with people who have gone to schools in disadvantaged neighborhoods, and the rhetoric is completely the opposite of what I experienced in my school years in a better neighborhood. The difference? The question of “Are you going to college?” vs. “What college are you going to?” For me, there was never a question if I’d continue my education, it was the logical next step: Elementary school, Middle school, High school, College.

My mom fought hard to get me and my sister into highly rated school system, and I thank her for that. Make the sacrifice and do the same for your kids, I have.

 

3. You haven’t discussed college with your kids, and have not thought about how your child will pay for college

Ever since my son was 4, he’s maintained that he wants to go to San Diego State University. Mommy and Daddy went there, so he has been hearing about college since he was in preschool. He’s already making plans, y’all. Could you imagine if we never discussed college with our kids? They would have ZERO PLANS embedded in their heads as to what they need to do to get to where they want to go. So, we talk about it a lot, and they know that a college degree offers a better opportunity for them as adults.

Another road block would be affording college. Scholarships and grants are far, few, in between and not guaranteed, so if you haven’t started saving money, you’re behind. The last thing you want to do is have your kids take out thousands and thousands of dollars worth of student loans, putting them in major debt upon graduation. It takes years and years to pay those things off, many times starting before you can even find a job. Guess what? Now they’re in the same stupid situation I wrote about in #1 above.

 

graduation cap clipartLook, if you’re mad, upset, relished with anger over this, maybe the shoe fits. Maybe you need to make some life changes, that in turn, offer better circumstances to trickle down the family line. It can be done. IT HAS TO BE DONE. I’ve done it, with no regrets. Rise up, save up, and ensure a future for your children that you can say you’re proud of.

 

Parents, it’s up to you.

 

ScholarShare California 529 College Savings Plan

 

The time to start saving for college was YESTERDAY. The absolute worst thing we can do, as parents, is to be caught unprepared. The ScholarShare California 529 College savings plan is a great way to get started. Both of my children have accounts, I opened them when they were younger and we’ve already started saving! With just a minimum contribution of $25, you are well on your way to saving for your child’s future, meaning less out of pocket costs for everyone. 529 savings plan can help offset some of your child’s college expenses, earning more than a traditional savings account would, and funds saved are withdrawn tax free when it’s time to enroll and cover tuition, books, room and board, supplies, transportation and other personal costs and school related fees.

 

Be prepared and start saving for college today!

 

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This is a sponsored post in part of a partnership with ScholarShare, all opinions are my own.

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