More From You - On College Funding

Here’s what some of you said about your family’s philosophy on paying for college.

Out of my family’s six kids, half attended college; two of us have graduate degrees. Our parents put most of us through parochial schools. After that, if we kids wanted higher education bad enough, then we found a way—our own way. It wasn’t easy, but we sure didn’t waste it.

—Christopher Peterson
Watertown, South Dakota

When our three children were very young, my wife and I started putting a little money away each month for college. Once our children were able to work, we instead matched whatever they decided to save. All the money went into a special account controlled by us. This continued until they graduated from high school.

When it was time for college, our children knew exactly how much was in their fund, which helped them decide where they could afford to go. All three have now graduated from college and have good jobs. I believe our approach fostered responsibility in our children and gave us an opportunity to help them out in a constructive way.

—Kevin Bettmann
Blaine, Minnesota

My children received bonds for birthdays and Christmas from grandparents and us. They’re easier to save than cash and most kids have so many material possessions.

—Gwen Walker
Lovell, Wyoming

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I live in gratitude every day that my parents chose to pay for a large part of my college education. Their support gave me a career in ministry I would have never had otherwise. Being a student who needed to set aside a large number of hours for studying, there was no way I could work enough hours to cover my costs.

I hope that as parents choose a plan for their children, they consider each child’s needs, personality and abilities.

—Kay Howard
Columbus, Indiana

I feel students are more responsible when they don’t have everything handed to them. Our children worked while in college and took out student loans. We paid the first $5,000 of the loans (in monthly payments).

—JANICE BROWN
Lobelville, Tennessee

My husband and I told our children early on that we would pay for their college educations if: they always did their best in school; saved a certain amount from their summer jobs to help pay; and continued to maintain good grades in college.

Two of our three children agreed to these rules and graduated debt-free from a Lutheran college, one from law school. My husband and I worked three to five jobs to pay for their educations and feel that it was totally worth it. Most people think we’re crazy, but we feel blessed.

—Bette McCoy
Ashland, Nebraska

We told our two kids they pay the first two years, we pay the second two years. They worked hard in high school to offset their portion of the costs and find scholarships. They also considered cost when selecting their college—one chose a community college, the other a public university. Both have ended up good, responsible students. They still think it’s so unfair (“None of our friends have to do this!”), but I know they are learning so much more about financial responsibility.

—Elizabeth Pfannes
Mattawan, Michigan

We plan to save and pay for room and board for all four of our kids, and match dollar for dollar what they earn by working or gain by scholarships. If they need it all, fine. If not, let it compound and move to the next child.

—Tom Pietz
Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Editor’s Note: To read more reader responses on college funding, go to More More From You .

Note: Views expressed in these letters are not necessarily the views of Thrivent magazine or Thrivent Financial for Lutherans.

What do you think?

Tithing harkens back to the book of Genesis, in which Abraham gives one-tenth of his war spoils to the high priest of God. In fact, the word "tithe" comes from the OPld English word meaning "tenth."

What does the practice of tithing mean to you ? Let us know your thoughts, and select responses will be published in future issues of the magazine.

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