I've never quite understood why when asked about finances, college students are quick to complain that their parents can't help pay for college. Why is it that so many people assume parents should be the ones to pay? Sure, what parent wouldn't love to do just that, but once you're an adult, is it not time to take responsiblity for the bills and debt you create by making the choice to go to college?

I totally agree with you Kelly, and find it ABSURD that the government bases our financial aid off of our parent's income? Why? What type of responsiblity does that teach? Not all parents pay for their kids tuition (and they shouldn't)!

I'll tell you what it conveys to students: It says that if you are a smart kid who works hard in school but has parents who are "rich", sorry there's no help for you. Oh well. Instead, we are going to give it to the kid with poo parents; it doesn't matter if they slacked off during school, only that they come from a poor family. The kids from the poor family end up getting thier tution paid for them, while the responsible kids with "rich" (I say "rich" because the gov. definition of rich is also absurd) parents are left in mounds of debt. The goverment is completely backwards in how it distributes its grants; it should be MERIT only. Its the only way to teach students that hard work is rewarded. Period. They will be living off their parents forever with the current attitude being conveyed.

My family is very well off, but my parents know the value of money. My mom gives me a couple hundred dollars for food and gas a term, that's it. I am left to fend for myself on my $15k a term tution. Thank god I have a couple of scholarships, or I wouldn't be able to stay afloat...