I had some saved up, probably $500? I had quite a bit of scholarship money and my parents made up anything I was short. I did work through college, and graduated with no student loans.

My parents paid for my college tuition, fees, books/supplies, and when I moved out, they paid half my rent. I worked 20 to 32 hours per week and took a full course load.

When it came time for grad school, Dad said, "You're on your own." At that point, I got student loans.

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Attaining financial freedom is like eating an elephant . . . it takes one bite at a time.

I paid for 9o% of it (undergrad and grad school) through my hard work and scholarship money. Some people don't think that counts, but I worked my a&& off to get that scholarship money so I count it. Plus I got three degrees as a result of it.

I also worked summers and saved pretty much everything else living expense wise. It paid for the rest except for about $500 a semester that my parents kicked in.

My parents gave me a choice. They would pay in full for me to go to a state school or they would pay the equivalent of a state school and I could get loans for the rest. I went to UGA, got a great education, had a fabulous time and graduated with zero debt. I worked in the summers and did a lot of babysitting during college to have some spending money.

When did you go to UGA, maggie? I was there from 1992-1994 getting my Masters.

I was there from 1988-1992. Just missed you! I think we are the same age. I am 37.

This was the deal my parents made too....worked out fine, til i took forever to graduate, and offered to take out my own student loan for the last year, since my twin sisters had both entered college by then, and had the same deal. Very thankful for my parents.

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Chopey

I had scholarships that paid for tuition/fees and some books. My parents paid for the majority of my living expenses (rent, food, utilities, etc.). For my first 3 years I was a student worker on campus which gave me a little spending money (about $40 a week). I didn't work my last year because the course load was very heavy and clinicals took up too much of my time.

I didn't take any classes in the summer so I worked to save up for expenses through the school year.

My parents did not pay for any of mine... AT ALL... Nore did they save for any of us kids.. Myself I put through college with military help, and a few small school loans of which I paid of before graduating... I then put myself through trade school for massage therapy, cause I had a change of career..

My baby sister, who I have custody of since she was 9, knew that she had to put herself through college, so she busted her butt through highs chool and has gotten fully paid for grants and scholarships..

My DH paid for his own school to..

If my kids want a higher education, they will be expected to do good in school and work for grants and scholarships.. We wont be making enough to save that much, but if its there dream to go to a huge college they can make it happen!

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Tara, wife to Jason, mama to Jayden 12/23/06 PG with #2 EDD 8/3/08 ~ non vaxing, co sleeping, cding, bfing,AP family.