'Moms Talk' Q & A: How Much of College Costs Should Parents Pay?

Each week the council will answer a question on parenthood posed to them by readers or another member of council.

This week, the Moms Council addresses paying for college.

As someone who paid my own way, I always felt that I and others like me took more responsibility for their education because of that investment.

I'm not sure anyone can do that now considering the way tuition has skyrocketed, but I wonder if students might focus on studies more or not go to schools that are quite so expensive if they at least share in the cost.

Here's what the Moms had to say:

Susan Jerome: College costs have become outrageous. My oldest son is in his Junior year of college and it continually amazes me how much they charge. I believe that if the parents can help, they should but that the child should contribute something. My children pay for their car insurance, gas, car repairs, etc. so if I can help them I gladly do it. I help them as much as I can but it's difficult, and minimal, since I am the sole support for the children.
 
When my son first applied to college, I received a free consult on financing your child's education. They suggested I take out a second mortgage to pay for his education. I explained that I was an "older" parent with three children and if I did that I would be paying off their school debt well into my retirement years! They were appalled that I was not willing to do that for them.
 
When I attended college, my parents paid for my first year tuition and I covered the remaining three years. It didn't seem to be so expensive but that was 30 years ago so it may have been considering income was much less than, too.
 
Kim Zannetti: I guess being an educator, this is a sensitive subject for me. I always took the stand that I didn't spoil my kids with silly things, but when it came to their education, I wanted to give them the best opportunity.

According to U.S. News and World Report, the average 22-year-old in this country is $144,000 in debt. How will they ever get out of that?  While I think school choices need to be within reason and consider the family's budget, education is so important.

I definitely believe that kids need to be invested in their education and choices and should foot as much of the expense as possible. I just don't know if 18-year-olds are aware of how long it takes to pay off loans and get out of debt.  The cost of a higher education has absolutely skyrocketed, and it is unrealistic to think that kids can completely pay their own way. If that were the case, how many kids may consider not going? Sure, they can take a year to save, but then how many would never go back. These are just some of the things that we see everyday ...