Daughter refuses to give up college fund to bail her parents out of debt due to careless overspending and failed investments: ‘I wasn’t going to throw away my future’

Author image for Lana DeGaetano
Lana DeGaetano • "Show me to me please."
Mar 21, 2025 2:00 PM EDT

Student debt is a right of passage for most folks who attend college. The government allows freshly-18-year-olds to sign away their future to big loan companies so they can profit off of their naiveté… That's just showbiz, baby! If you're one of the lucky few who graduated debt-free for any number of reasons, count your blessings. For borrowers, student debt becomes their best friend for about 10 years after they graduate from university, and sometimes more if they're borrowing privately.

The daughter in this next story didn't have to worry about all of the financials since her grandparents set up a college fund for her. However, her parents have been trying to play for keeps on it ever since they've landed themselves in a good amount of debt due to their own carelessness. The daughter shouldn't suffer for her parents' missteps, and she knows this. So, she refuses her parents' inquiry regarding her college fund… and naturally, this rejection doesn't go over well with them. Scroll to read.

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  • The daughter knows that her parents' debt is not her problem, yet like any normal person, has her doubts about her decision to reject her parents' pleas for help. It's either her or them, and her grandparents gave her this money to spend on a valuable education, not on her parents' financial slip-ups. Not everyone is so lucky to have access to a fund that'll take care of the cost of schooling, and the daughter refuses to take on massive amounts of debt for herself just to save her parents' behinds.

  • SINTES "I don't think I should have to sacrifice my future because of their financial mistakes." BRIC MO G JF 1823 F6 OFF (MRC 9 8 5 60000 -00000 2 % 6 3 +1- 800 +
    via Karolina Grabowska For Unsplash+

  • "AITA for refusing to give up my college fund to help my parent with their debt?"

    I just started college this year. ever since i was little, my grandparents set up a college fund for me, and it's the only reason i can afford school
    via yosuw
  • without taking on massive debt. my parents always knew about it, and it was always meant for my education.
    via yosuw
  • recently, my parents have been struggling financially due to bad investments and overspending. They sat me down and asked me
    via yosuw
  • to use my college fund to help them pay off their debts. they said that since they raised me, it's only fair that i help them now that they're struggling.
    via yosuw
  • Cheezburger Image 10481975808
    via Karolina Grabowska For Unsplash+

    The image does not depict the actual subjects of the story. Subjects are models.

  • i said no. i told them i was grateful for everything they've done, but this money was specifically for my education, and i wasn't going to throw away my
    via yosuw
  • future. they got upset and said i was being selfish and ungrateful. my mom even cried, saying she never thought her own daughter would turn her back on them.
    via yosuw
  • Now my parents barely talk to me. i feel horrible, but at the same time, i don't think i should have to sacrifice my future because of their financial mistakes.
    via yosuw
  • aita for refusing to give up my college fund?
    via yosuw
  • dalealace NTA. They had a legal obligation to the coat of raiding you. Your grandparents specifically set that money aside for your education, not for your parents emergency debt relief. I assume they must be pretty desperate but this is not money they are entitled to and you don't owe them for raising you well.
    via dalealace
  • Keenhail NTA - That money is for YOUR education and it's their own fault for overspending or making bad investment decisions... pretty rich coming from them saying your selfish also given they're asking their own child sacrifice a good education because they made mistakes financially
    via Keenhail
  • Jacintaleishman It's not your money, not really. It is your Grandparent's hard work and sacrifice. They went without specifically so you could be educated and thrive. You are beholden to them to use that money only for the purpose it was intended for. I'm sorry your parents are suffering, I'm a parent of three adult daughters. I'd rather declare bankruptcy than jeopardise any of their education and financial security.
    via Jacintaleishman
  • Dangerous-WinterElf NTA. Listen. If a parent pulls out the "I raised you...." they are almost always the a hole in the scenario. Unless it's the rare you did something where them saying "I raised you better than this" is warranted.
    via Dangerous-WinterElf
  • Children did not ask to be born. The parents chose it. It's their obligation to feed the child, clothe the child, keep a roof over their head, and all the other stuff that comes with having a child. It's not the kid taking out a loan where the parents can cash in when the child turns 18.
    via Dangerous-WinterElf
  • You do not owe them for raising you. Not even a single cent. And I say that as a parent myself. Your grandparents set those money aside so you didn't have to start your adult life with debt. To help you get the education you want, and get a good start on life. And if there's money left after school. It's still yours. Use it for further education. A saving towards a home. Your parents are not entitled to that money.
    via Dangerous-WinterElf
  • Neat-Character-9894 NTA, it is really unfair of them to put you in this situation. They made the decision to have you, you don't owe them for raising you. Trying to guilt you into rescuing them from bad financial decisions is wrong.
    via Neat-Character-9894
  • Kris82868 NTA. Your grandparents set up a college fund for you. Not an overspending/bad investments fall back fund for your parents.
    via Kris82868
  • Karma-Chameleon_ NYA- I'm sure your grandparents would rather you get a good education and set yourself up for a great career than pay off your parents frivolous debts
    via Karma-Chameleon_
  • RevenueOriginal 9777 Your parents issues aren't your issues. The money wasn't meant for them. Let them know if they don't drop the guilt you will go NC with them.
    via RevenueOriginal9777
  • rox4540 SO THEY'LL be debt-free, despite poor financial decision-making and OP will be saddled with massive debt because she wants an education? Yeah, lovely. OP should just repeat the same thing back to her feckless mother- someone is definitely selfish here. NTA.
    via rox4540

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reddit stories aita entitled parents AITAH college fund reddit story parenting debt entitled people karma entitled student debt reddit thread Reddit savings Parenting Fail college parents entitled people
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