Parents put $300k in each daughter's college fund, 22-year-old protests when they want to take $100k from her fund and give it to 18-year-old: 'Her dream school is very expensive'

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Ally Perry • Writer and Editor
Apr 25, 2026 9:15 AM EDT

Would you give up the money gifted to you to help a family member in need?

Those who are lucky enough to have parents who save up a lot for their college education are in the minority. Many students find themselves working hard to try to stop themselves from being up to their eyeballs in debt, so having a family that will hand over hundreds of thousands of dollars is nothing short of a major privilege.

Like most gifts, those who are fortunate to receive it usually expect that it is something they get to keep. Especially with something as crucial and expensive as a college education, no student wants the unhappy surprise that they no longer have the funds that they thought they did. Sometimes, there just isn't as much money to go around as they thought there would be.

This may be a risk for anyone with siblings, as parents have to think about securing the future of more than one child. That isn't always easy, as the paths that their kids may choose to take may not end up being the most predictable, but they still want to support them. There are points where something has to give.

 

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    via Leon JL

    The Empire State Building in the New York City Skyline, lit purple at the top

  • A college student who was finishing up her studies found herself at odds with her parents, as they asked her to give the remainder of her college fund to her younger sister. She had about $100k of her $300k left, whereas her sibling had chosen a more expensive college that would take her over budget, despite being given the same amount of money.

    Their parents reasoned that, as their older daughter was nearly done with her education and their younger daughter had secured a place at her favorite school, it made sense to transfer the funds. However, they weren't so sure after the older child's reaction.

  • Real Post Folder @RealPostFolder What a dumb Younger daughter is making the choice to go to her dream school rather than attend an in State school. 300k is very generous and a lot more than most other kids get to go to college. She should learn that choices have pros and cons.
    via RealPostFolder
  • She should be aware that she will be 60k short, and that she should look into grants or scholarships she may be eligible for and her mom and dad will help as they can. OP should give her other daughter the rest of her money. Personally, I wouldn't punish her for making a more fiscally responsible choice
    via RealPostFolder
  • A woman smiles while walking through a college campus, holding a shoulder bag and a laptop
    via A.C. (Unsplash+)

    A woman smiles while walking through a college campus, holding a shoulder bag and a laptop

    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • Would I be wrong if I took $100k from my oldest daughter's college fund to give it to my youngest daughter?

    Am I the a-he if I take 100k from my oldest daughter's college savings account to give it to my younger daughter? I have two college savings accounts with 300k in each for my two daughters, Anna (22) and Bella (18) (fake names). (repost because the first was removed) Anna will be graduating from UCLA next month. Her school is in state for us so she was able to go for a very reasonable price (26k per year) plus me and my husband gave her an extra 2k per month for food, rent, and going out. In tot
    via RealPostFolder
  • A smiling woman walks through a college campus holding a shoulder bag and a laptop
    via A.C. (Unsplash+)

    A smiling woman walks through a college campus holding a shoulder bag and a laptop

    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • ZOE @ZoeZo379 Replying to @RealPostFolder Did you promise the entire amount to your eldest? Is she expecting it to be hers? If so, you should keep your promise. But if they were told the money was for college only, then you should give it to your youngest.
    via ZoeZo379
  • Allanon99@Allanon D99 Replying to @Real PostFolder Rich people problems. lol Well, put it this way. My parents paid for my sister's braces, justifying it by saying it was more important for a girl to have straight teeth. My brother and I STILL, to this day, harbor some resentment about it.
    via AllanonD99
  • Anon @anon_pppp Replying to @Real PostFolder It's the hard worker who is always punished. The elder sister might have got some other goal and wanted to save it up for that
    via anon_pppp
  • CrypToBeSquare @cryp_be Replying to @Real PostFolder Terrible take. That money doesn't belong to the daughters, the parents saved it specifically for schooling. If the older one kicks up a fuss from the privileged position of having her college completely paid for plus an allowance then she's just selfish and childish.
    via cryp_be
  • MountainMoses >> @MountainMoses33 Replying to @Real PostFolder NYU is a top tier school & the eldest daughter is almost done with college. I think it's a good move
    via MountainMoses33
  • Brian Jones @bwj43497 Replying to @Real PostFolder This is obviously her attempt at a "humble brag", like accidentally showing a coworker your $150k bank balance while they were near you. No one gives a sh about your Savings accounts. The choice is obvious. Give the unused money to the kid that still needs money. Duh...
    via bwj43497
  • Mr. Rictus@misterrictus Replying to @Real PostFolder Exactly. Other thing is parents should not give their kids a window for bitterness towards one another. If older sister chooses to give her extra 100k to younger sister, she's free to do that. But taking it from her is sowing discord in the family.
    via misterrictus
  • 1838Hounds @TamaraLBennett1 Replying to @Real PostFolder 'MIGHT feel ripped off'?? yes, she will. you will destroy 2 relationships by showing such blatant favoritism btwn siblings. btwn parent & btwn siblings. ask me how i know.
    via TamaraLBennett1
  • ESAL JimBob Jones @getoffmylawn_55 Replying to @RealPostFolder If the older daughter passed up a different school to save money thinking she would be able to use the cash to get a head start, then maybe. She might also go for a Masters in the future. But it's the dad's money. To each according to ther need imo.
    via getoffmylawn_55
  • DONALD DUCK OCBruin21 @OCBruin21 Replying to @Real PostFolder You set a gift at 300k for each of them. The money goes to the oldest. If she wants to give it to her sister that should be her choice. The younger sister should be responsible for her choice.
    via OCBruin21
  • Christilynn the Librarian @tiredmommy1010 Replying to @Real PostFolder Well, I am against paying that much for college generally, but that is still the parents' money, not the kid's. If my kids decide not to go to college, they don't get to keep money I have put away, I keep it. So if I have leftover money from one kid, I would use it for the other.
    via tiredmommy1010
  • LmaoMaster @LMAOmaster2003 Replying to @RealPostFolder It is not HER money. She didnt put a cent. Its her parents money which they can decide on what they desire for their kids. If she had saved that money, or at least contributed to it, my opinion would change, if she didnt, the parents are rigth.
    via LMAOmaster2003
  • The Tiara Slipped @TheTiaraSlipped Replying to @Real PostFolder Why is this a hard decision? You saved to educate your children not to give them a cash gift. Unless you promised that they could keep whatever was left, it's your money to spend as you wish. Don't set a precedent or when they get married, have kids, etc. it will be an issue.
    via TheTiaraSlipped
  • GospelDoc @Gospel Doc Replying to @Real PostFolder Personally I would ask my oldest daughter. Also with $300k in the account why not wait until the senior year and see how the interest accrues. In 4 years the 529 could grow another $50k even with the withdrawals. Then your daughter could take out a small loan to finish.
    via GospelDoc
  • eshop time Real Name @RealNam58912695 Replying to @Real PostFolder Since the daughter is that great, it's time to teach her responsibility. She can earn $60k in 4 years by herself.
    via RealNam58912695

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family daughter college college student money parenting sister family drama
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