Parents face financial challenges

Financial aid a difficult subject for parents of college-bound teens

By: Madeleine Johnson
   While many seniors are anticipating their high school graduation and the beginning of a new phase in their lives, the parents of college-bound students are looking to financial aid for ways to make the rising costs of tuition a little less cumbersome.
   Unfortunately, some parents are having a more difficult time than others.
   "I did not apply for financial aid because we know that between my husband and I, with the salaries we make, we probably won’t get any, based on our research and what people have told us," said Judy Chirico. Her daughter, Danielle, will be attending Susquehanna University, in Selinsgrove, Pa., which costs $37,330 a year for tuition, room and board. "The middle class looks good on paper. It makes you look like you’re making a decent living."
   Christine Rinaldi’s daughter, Michele, will be going to Towson University, which is in Towson, Md. and costs $28,360 annually for out-of-state students. Ms. Rinaldi is a single mother who is taking her daughter’s tuition payments year-by-year, since she didn’t receive any financial aid.
   "Right now, I’m worried about getting through the first year," she said. "If all goes well, we’ll get through the second. Then we’ll worry about what happens at the end of four years. I’m trying not to think too far ahead because it’s a little scary."
   Ms. Rinaldi was denied financial aid based on her income, which she feels is an oversight on the government’s part.
   "Based on my income and my assets, they felt I didn’t deserve any financial aid," she said. "What the government expects you to be able to support on one income, they don’t take into consideration any of your debt or any liabilities."
   Right now, both Ms. Rinaldi and Ms. Chirico are looking to scholarships for assistance, and are grateful that their daughters will be receiving some money from the South Brunswick School District. Michele will receive a South Brunswick High School PTO Award while Danielle will be given choral and theater awards. The scholarships are monetary awards that are made possible by memorial funds, public and private donors, and organizations within the school district.
   "Danielle did receive a scholarship from Susquehanna, which is helping a little, and she did receive an award from the Pirandello Players, which is great and we’re so proud of her," Ms. Chirico said. "We’re depending on any scholarship she can get through the township."
   "We’ve already started looking at scholarships she could potentially apply for after completing the first year," Ms. Rinaldi said. "We may look into a work study program once we see what her school workload is like."
   Both mothers have done their best to put aside funds for their daughters’ education and feel that it’s important to give their children an opportunity to receive a four-year degree.
   "We told our girls we’ll pay for their first four years," said Ms. Chirico, who has another daughter enrolled at the University of Delaware. "I think we were very lucky that we were able to save. We don’t have 100 percent yet, but we’re close."
   Being on her own, Ms. Rinaldi had a more difficult time putting aside money for her daughter’s education.
   "Being a single parent, you live paycheck to paycheck. I tried and saved some money, but now I’m finding out with any type of government support, it actually hurts you to have a little bit of savings," Ms. Rinaldi said. "I’m just trying to be able to give this to her or get her through it somehow without having to go into debt. Hopefully, it’ll be rewarding for her and set her on the right path for the next phase of her life."
   Some parents have had an easier time paying for a child’s college education. Bob Long, whose son Bobby is a freshman at Centenary College, in Hackettstown, hasn’t let the school’s $33,250 price tag worry him.
   "We’re receiving financial aid through Stafford loans and he’s getting some scholarship money that comes from the college itself that was based on academics and leadership," said Mr. Long, who is vice president of the school board.
   Even though Mr. Long has another son he’ll be putting through college in two years, he doesn’t feel as though footing the bill for his children’s higher education has put a strain on his family’s finances.
   "Paying for college doesn’t just happen overnight," he said. "I think you have to plan appropriately, and we’ve had 18 years of knowing this was coming. Luckily, I’m in a position where I can plan ahead and not be concerned about it. We’ve been blessed with the ability to be in this position."
   Putting his children through college is a responsibility upon which Mr. Long places a high priority, and he expects his sons to take being college students just as seriously, which is part of the reason he isn’t letting himself get too worried over tuition payments.
   "I think there is some buy-in between the student and the parent so that the student has a vested interest in the whole process, but doesn’t finish college being financially strapped," he said. "I think if you let price determine where someone goes to school, I’m not sure that’s a good mix for success. Everyone’s learning style is different and the individual has to go where they’re comfortable."
   For parents who don’t feel as financially prepared as Mr. Long, Ms. Chirico and Ms. Rinaldi have some advice.
   "If you can save anything at all, save it with the expectation that you will be paying for the full boat and don’t expect any assistance through financial aid," Ms. Rinaldi said. "If I had been able to do things differently, I would have done anything and everything to save more just for the peace of mind I don’t have."
   "I think parents today, we realize how important a college education is for our kids. There’ll be sacrifices," Ms. Chirico said. "(Tuition) is really expensive and it’s going up. My advice to parents of young children is to start saving when they’re young because it comes so very quickly."