6 ms·

FASFA requiring a parental contribution has always seemed weird. You are 18, an adult, why is there an expectation on parents to pay for anything?

by sjg007 7y ago

kd0amg 7y ago
Even weirder if it also doesn't expect legal guardians to contribute
- Someone1234 7y ago
  It does. The students are declaring themselves "financially independent." The guardianship is a tool towards that end goal. - Parents voluntarily grant guardianship (to friend/relative). - Guardian dissolves (either voluntarily or automatically). - Student gains financially independent status. Is eligible for financial aid.
notahacker 7y ago
Because in practice, parents of sufficient wealth usually do contribute towards 18 year olds' education (or their living costs where the education is government funded), and every subsidy a university gives to a multimillionaire's offspring means less subsidy available for the genuinely poor.
- boxfire 7y ago
  Funny, that missed me. I FAFSA'd out of support due to my parents income and didn't get a dime from my parents. I suppose they supported me with the clothes on my back, but that is about it. I'm pretty sure I sit with a majority of my generation, and I find the only people placating this abusive pillaging to be those who simply do not perceive it is happening. In practice sufficient wealth to contribute doesn't mean the motivation nor incentive. I truly hope this corrects itself in time, but it is far far too late for me. If I achieve moderate financial success I'd most likely philanthropize in the form of a scholarship dedicated to exactly this gap, and/or lobby for change.
- romwell 7y ago
  >and every subsidy a university gives to a multimillionaire's offspring means less subsidy available for the genuinely poor. Sure, let's deprive 100 people of their benefits so that 1 of them doesn't get that same benefit unjustly.
rhino369 7y ago
18 year olds don’t have much income or assets, outside of special cases. If you want to give financial aid to “poor students” there really isn’t any other way to do it.

FASFA requiring a parental contribution has always seemed weird. You are 18, an adult, why is there an expectation on parents to pay for anything?

by sjg007 7y ago

FASFA requiring a parental contribution has always seemed weird. You are 18, an adult, why is there an expectation on parents to pay for anything?

kd0amg 7y ago

Even weirder if it also doesn't expect legal guardians to contribute

Someone1234 7y ago
It does. The students are declaring themselves "financially independent." The guardianship is a tool towards that end goal. - Parents voluntarily grant guardianship (to friend/relative). - Guardian dissolves (either voluntarily or automatically). - Student gains financially independent status. Is eligible for financial aid.

notahacker 7y ago

Because in practice, parents of sufficient wealth usually do contribute towards 18 year olds' education (or their living costs where the education is government funded), and every subsidy a university gives to a multimillionaire's offspring means less subsidy available for the genuinely poor.

boxfire 7y ago
Funny, that missed me. I FAFSA'd out of support due to my parents income and didn't get a dime from my parents. I suppose they supported me with the clothes on my back, but that is about it. I'm pretty sure I sit with a majority of my generation, and I find the only people placating this abusive pillaging to be those who simply do not perceive it is happening. In practice sufficient wealth to contribute doesn't mean the motivation nor incentive. I truly hope this corrects itself in time, but it is far far too late for me. If I achieve moderate financial success I'd most likely philanthropize in the form of a scholarship dedicated to exactly this gap, and/or lobby for change.
romwell 7y ago
>and every subsidy a university gives to a multimillionaire's offspring means less subsidy available for the genuinely poor. Sure, let's deprive 100 people of their benefits so that 1 of them doesn't get that same benefit unjustly.

rhino369 7y ago

18 year olds don’t have much income or assets, outside of special cases. If you want to give financial aid to “poor students” there really isn’t any other way to do it.