Only child confronts parents after they refuse to fund his college education, insisting he must get a scholarship or student loans: ‘They don't have anything saved for me’

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Bar Mor Hazut • Senior Editor
Jun 16, 2025 10:00 AM EDT

Without the financial support of a parent, many kids find themselves unable to go to college.

Let's face it, student loans are not a great option, as most of us carry that burden on for the majority of our lives. It's not really surprising that some people would rather skip college altogether than be subjected to paying loans for decades. But if you really do want to go to college, and a scholarship is not an option, the only other option you have is your parents.

Some parents set up a college fund for their kids and save up money so when the time comes, they can send their children off to get a higher education without worrying about how to pay for it. Other parents are not as financially fortunate, and they must let their children fend for themselves out in the big world.

Then there are parents like those in the story below, who, even though they can afford to pay for their child's college education, refuse to do so, because they believe they have paid for enough already. This took their kid by surprise, and a family dispute ensued…

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    Cheezburger Image 10517817344
    via Motortion

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

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    Parents dropped the bombshell they don't have anything saved for me for college cause "student loans make you accountable" AITAH for losing it?

    My father is a surgeon and mother is an attorney. I am a good student not perfect mostly A's with some B's my graduating GPA if I
    via Emptynester55
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    finish next year as I have will be around 3.76 to 3.80. My parents told me they banked on me getting a full ride like they did and
    via Emptynester55
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    refuse to pay for my education going forward cause they already did ao from grades elementary to high-school.
    via Emptynester55
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    I don't think my grades or GPA are horrible but I know amongst my class I am no where near a top student. Solid middle of the pack.
    via Emptynester55
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    Idk what I am posting th for maybe to seek validation or get some laughs.
    via Emptynester55
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    Pretty sure I am cooked cause no way I would qualify for anything with my parents income. I know many top schools have
    via Emptynester55
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    great needs based financial services but my parents are far above that threshold.
    via Emptynester55
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    I am cooked eh? Maybe should have begged more instead of yelling.
    via Emptynester55
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    11 AFTED STATES OFA COLLEGE KB 46279860 I By 100 OLLARS
    via pixelshot

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

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    Previous-Sir5279 You can try to get a legal emancipation, that way their salaries and jobs don't affect your student aid. Especially because they've said they won't help you at all.
    via Previous-Sir5279
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    Anxious-Routine-5526 It definitely would've been better if your parents had made it clear years ago that you would be on your own in terms
    via Anxious-Routine-5526
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    of funding college on your own. Those are years of saving and planning you can't get back, so being pied is understandable.
    via Anxious-Routine-5526
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    OblivionJie Do community College for a year or 2 and knock out all the basics and figure out what career path you want to pursue. Don't let your greedy a_h_le parents get you to debt trap yourself with loans immediately into undergrad.
    via OblivionJu**ie
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    Emptynester55 OP My school is a college ready school so most my general education requirements will be met when I graduate. I am going to look into other options and I do work and have been saving majority of my income.
    via Emptynester55
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    Ok_Distribution_2603 No one "banks" on their kids getting a full ride. They're just full of slt, maybe from years of living to the ends of their incomes (and possibly beyond)?
    via Ok_Distribution_2603
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    Did they send you to private schools for all of your education so far? If they did that "expecting" it would somehow magically lead you to full ride scholarships then they're the least intelligent surgeon/lawyer couple in history.
    via Ok_Distribution_2603
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    Emptynester55 OP They do because they both came from nothing due to hard work. Yes, they are the type that feel if they could do it without the opportunities I have had then no excuse exists for me not to do it also.
    via Emptynester55
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    GargantuanGreenGoat My parents did the same thing. I made the mistake of getting loans to go to university. Go to a trade school instead.
    via GargantuanGreenGoat
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    Pichycookie You can try working.
    via Pichycookie
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    Emptynester55 OP I do work BTW.
    via Emptynester55

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family drama tuition aita school kids mother teenagers college fund reddit story parenting aunt family Reddit money women college parents children Father
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