27-year-old got out of the debt he had because of college, so now his parents are asking him to contribute $700 a month to pay for his brother's tuition: 'I want to start saving for my own future instead of taking on another big financial commitment.'

Author image for María Cetra
María Cetra • Writer
Aug 9, 2026 6:00 PM EDT

Just because you aren't in debt doesn't mean that money is just growing in your pocket.

Student loans are such a complex matter because they are incredibly useful to pay for college without having to work many hours at a time, but they are still debt and have all the negative parts of it. Being able to pay for university because your parents saved in a college fund is extremely privileged. Not many have that kind of luck, and if they do, it doesn't necessarily mean that the school tuition for the whole time you spend studying in it is going to be covered. Thousands of young adults rely on student loans to pay for education, and some even have financial aid or a part-time job.

After you finish your education, it can take you several years to fully eliminate the student debt you took when you were 18. Like the case of this student in the story below. He is 27 years old, and he just finished paying off his. That is such a long time, and it makes the whole process stressful, as you start believing you will never get rid of that debt. So, knowing how hard it was for him, his parents asked him if he wanted to help them out with paying off his brother's tuition.

Now, it was really hard for this user to get rid of the debt. He has been living a cheap lifestyle for years and working since he was studying. He just got free. Now he has other plans for his money. At least he wants to save it. Now, with his parents offering, he feels in an awkward position. He loves his brother, but getting into a commitment this big when he just got free from another one seems not only a risk but also uncomfortable. He wants to save for his future, not be spending more money on somebody else's education. Would you do that kind of thing for a sibling? Or would you focus on building better financials for yourself and your future? 
 

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  • 01
    I (27M) have a younger brother who's starting college this fall. Growing up, my parents always told us they had money set aside for our education. Then, right before I graduated high school, my older sister got really s ck. She needed a lot of treatment over the next few years, and my parents ended up using basically all of the college savings on medical expenses. I don't blame them for that. They
    via Weeb-wavy
  • 02
    A college university building seen from the front.
    via Michael Marsh

    A college university building seen from the front. 

  • 03
    were trying to help my sister, and I would've done the same in their position. The downside was that I had to figure college out on my own. I worked while I was in school, took out student loans, and lived pretty cheaply for years. I finally paid off the last of my loans a few weeks ago, and honestly it felt like a huge weight had been lifted. A few days later, my parents
    via Weeb-wavy
  • 04
    asked if I'd be willing to help pay for my younger brother's tuition. They said they're still trying to recover financially and don't want him to end up with the same amount of debt I had. They asked if I could contribute around $700 a month while he's in school. I told them I love my brother, but I just can't do it. I spent years paying off debt because there wasn't any money left for me, and now that I'm finally free of it, I want to start saving for my own
    via Weeb-wavy
  • 05
    future instead of taking on another big financial commitment. My parents said I'm looking at it the wrong way and that my brother shouldn't have to suffer because of what happened years ago. My brother hasn't been angry, but he admitted he was hoping I'd help because I know how difficult student loans can be. Now a few relatives have gotten
    via Weeb-wavy
  • 06
    involved. Some think I'm being selfish because I can technically afford it, while others think it's unfair that I'm expected to fix a situation I didn't create. I honestly feel bad because none of this is my brother's fault, but at the same time I don't think it's my responsibility either
    via Weeb-wavy
  • 07
    A college student with her books and her bag inside a classroom with other students. Representation.
    via javier trueba

    A college student with her books and her bag inside a classroom with other students. 

    Representation.

  • 08
    Personal Bee 3635 NTA. This is an unfortunate situation for everyone, but I can't be the only one wondering why your relatives who are so keen on you helping out didn't help both you and your brother.
    via Personal Bee 3635
  • 09
    BelovedxCisque NTA Siblings are NEVER financially responsible for other siblings (nor can they be forced to be the caretaker for a dis ed sibling who needs one). Any family members who feel like you're being selfish can fork over the $700 a month so your younger brother can have the opportunity they feel he deserves.
    via BelovedxCisque
  • 10
    I'd take the $700 a month if you can afford it and make an emergency fund for yourself. You saw how quickly stuff can be wiped out by i ess in the case of your sister. People get s ck/lose jobs/have sh happen and it's a good idea to have an emergency fund with 3 months of income in it in case of an emergency. If you can get it larger do it!
    via BelovedxCisque
  • 11
    Glittering-Trick-234 My parents said I'm looking at it the wrong way and that my brother shouldn't have to suffer because of what happened years ago But that doesn't mean that YOU should suffer twice. You already paid for your own college, you shouldn't have to pay for your brother. That's not your responsibility.
    via Glittering-Trick-234
  • 12
    Is_It_Soup_Season NTA You need to be taking that $700 a month and saving or investing it.
    via Is_It_Soup_Season
  • 13
    Comfortable-Fall1419 NOPE. This is your parent's responsibility. NTA. Point out he won't be any worse off than you were.
    via Comfortable-Fall1419
  • 14
    HolSmGamer NTA. $700/month is a big ask and you don't owe any of them a cent. If this is in the US, has your brother looked into things like financial aid or scholarships?
    via HolSmGamer
  • 15
    Phonkrum NTA at all! You figured it out and giving him advice on how to go about loans would actually be better than just paying for him.
    via Phonkrum
  • 16
    mamcd88 NTA your judgy relatives can offer to help pay. You can also consider helping with a smaller amount if you want to, but it's your choice and you shouldn't be forced. Also what happens when your sister needs funds too?
    via mamcd88
  • 17
    PrivateNoLlama Drama The vast majority of people who go to college take out loans and then pay them off. That's life. No one is entitled to a free education. It's nice that your parents want to help, but that's not your responsibility. He can get a job and pay off loans the same way you did. NTA.
    via PrivateNoLlama

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