Well, just the United States government. Pell grants, and low-interest student loans.

BTW, Obama had the laws changed to cut out the useless middleman (banks) regarding making student loans in order to save us money (the banks were just making a profit off having the students fill out the paperwork, forward to the government, then handing the student the government check)

How is that helping me pay for my son's college when it has to be payed back? Other people get the free ride for college.

Pell Grants are free, not paid back. Be sure you apply for those.

I know the VA helps you go to college - does it help your kids get an education?

Sometimes it's best if the kid isn't living at home to get financial aid. Other people that get a free ride usually do so on the merits of their scholarship abilities.

But there are literally thousands of gift scholarships available that are never claimed for most schools (maybe a school has a scholarship for people from a certain town who are the children of a bricklayer, for example!) The kid has to go sit and look through the book in the financial aid office, or on the computer, to find those, and apply. Always worth it!

And there are work-study programs, where the kid works up to 20 hours a week. Very valuable help on Dad's wallet.

My niece was an RA in a dorm, and got a free room.

The other thing is go to a state school close to home for the first two years of basic classes, it's least expensive, as the state subsidizes the cost. Then if the kid wants a degree for a specific thing from a fancy school, transfer in to do the last 2 years there.

tell him to get good grades and a scholarship.

actually, encourage him to learn a trade. it's not just doctors we'll be lacking in, but electricians, plumbers, hvac techs, and auto mechanics.

The past grading he made Dean's list with a 3.78 GPA. ALso he was Cum Laude.

Thats awesome. You mentioned you were in the Navy when your son was born right?

You mean to the students who use them they're free. To those paying the bills, they are far from free.

My son I adopted him, he was from a previous marriage that my wife in. I have raised him since he was 4. Thank you for complimenting my son. I was in the Navy when I got married.

I get no help from the VA. I was also told that I couldn't give my son the money that I have from the GI Bill. Supposedly the Army can do it. I am not going to let my son waste two years of school by going to a state school. He is taking classes other than the basics right now. I will do everything to make sure my son gets through college. If it means working a second job part time I will do it.

That's awesome! You must be very proud. If he applies to a particular school early, he should get offers for financial help.

Yeah, I personally find it a real nightmare, having a few pennies of my tax dollars going to help deserving lower income kids achieve a higher education and benefit our society ;)

He's lucky to have your support behind him :tro:

I am very proud. A few years from now he will be a productive member of society.

I dont believe in another person getting a free handout or getting something for free except for a few cases. Alot of these people won't live within thier income. That is part of the problem.

like your son for college? :rolleyes:

I dont mind paying for my son's college. At least im not using the taxpayer's money for it like other's do.

That totally explains everything.. Have him go to West Point, I don't mind paying.

you're not very consistent; how do the below go with the above? i think you believe you should get a free ride but can't, so you think others are getting over on you.
i can be self-deprecating at times about working vs not working, but i would never trade my condition for being without a job and having to accept help. you on the other hand seem angry that even with what you've accomplished, you don't get enough freebies. that's where your real anger lies-you think people on the dole are in a better position than you it seems, whereas i feel sorry for them. also, if you checked into using your gi bill for his college, and they okayed it, that would be using taxpayer money for his college.

I love your suggestion. I would be proud if he was going there. I don't think a service academy would take a person who was born with a mild form of Cerebral Palsy. My wife and I are fortunate and blessed that he just has a mild form of it. Today you can't tell he was born with this dreadful disease that I wouldn't wish on anyone. I guess there is a risk of that when you are 14 ounces at birth. At least there are great institutions like the Shriners to help innocent and unfortunate children born with that dreadful disease.

don't know if he got it, but i did....hilarious.