mickiinpodunk asked:


In all of my years in financial aid the one consistent thing I see is that students and parents of middle income ranges are horrified by the thought of taking out student loans to finance higher education. Yet, OTOH, I see the same students and parents with no qualms whatsoever about incurring significant consumer debt–multiple credit cards, new cars on leases, expensive vactions, gold and gemstone jewelry, etc.

When a college degree virtually guarantees higher overall income, why are so many people reluctant to incur debt for a limited period of time to obtain that education? Serious responses, please, I want a greater understanding of how you feel from your side of the table.
I would also like to explain that I am not ignorant of the fact that parents want their children to start out with clean slates, nor am I narrow enough minded to think that everyone must borrow. I also am concerned by parents who are willing to max out their lives giving their children their educations on a platter. I do believe that there should be a bootstrap component that belongs to the student, too, and that we need to be as wise a consumer in choosing our educational options as possible. One can receive just as *good* an education at the more local public colleges as at a *name* university and still conserve family funds. Its a phenonemon I continually ponder.

Emma