Who Should Pay University Fees: Students or Parents?

Guest post: Lizzi Hart

In spite of the monetary challenges involved, university/college is still the favored path for growing numbers of school-leavers around the world. Often prospective university students are motivated by the desire to boost their career prospects and become fully self-sufficient in future. But in the meantime, who should front the initial university costs: students themselves, or their parents?

Who usually pays for university fees?

The US media typically depicts parents working hard to save for their children’s college fund, and research suggests that almost 40% of university fees are covered by parental income, savings and borrowing, compared to 27% paid by students (the rest comes from scholarships, grants and other relatives). In the UK, student loans tend to make a more significant contribution to covering university costs, particular at undergraduate level.

Aside from the current picture, we wanted to ask students first-hand who they believe should pay for universities fees. This question is of course dependent on the economic capacities of each family, but essentially, if a family can afford to contribute, should they help their children after they leave compulsory education?

Should students work part-time while they study?

First, what happens if a student can’t afford to keep up with the costs of studying for a degree? Most likely, s/he will have to get a part-time job. While a job alongside a degree is often a good thing – you prepare yourself for the post-university working world – it can be damaging if it takes a priority over self-governed studies. And by filling spare time with work, you leave less time to expend your brain power on assignments and studying for classes.

So is having a job during university a useful way to strengthen your independence, or does it dent your learning abilities? One former student from the UK, Claire, takes the first position, recalling that her parents would only contribute towards her university costs if she had a part-time job. Claire explains that this helped her to become fully self-sufficient. As her mum said: “We have the money to help you, but we won't unless you appreciate the value of money for yourself.”

On the other hand, soon-to-be graduate Charles [name changed] argues that help from his parents hasn’t necessarily “hindered my need for independence” and says he still got a job during his second year. He says, “in terms of getting a full-time job, it was still just as important as if I hadn't had help from my parents; it just means there's less pressure to pay back the cost of the university fees.”

Does it depend how much your parents earn?

For lower income families, contributing to university fees may simply not be an option. However, in many countries there are loans and grants specifically to assist students from low-income backgrounds. Then again, assessments do not always take into account all the relevant factors, such as the number of children each family has to support, or other financial commitments.

Another almost-graduate from the UK, Amy, argues that “just because some parents earn more than others, it doesn't mean they have more money for their children”. She adds that going to university was her own choice, so she believes she should be responsible for the costs involved. However, fellow student India opposes this view, suggesting that wealthier parents “could, even if at a stretch, provide for their kids at university.”

Could parental help be a bad thing in the long run?

Jess explains that to tackle her lack of funds, she used her savings to help top-up the government loan she received, as well as having a job during her first year of study. While some of her friends received substantial amounts of money from their parents, leaving them with lots of disposable cash, she says, “I don't think it's helped them understand the value of money, which is going to be a massive shock when they get full-time jobs.” As a result, she says: “I understand that some parents can't help, but even if they can, I don't think they should.”

And aside from the issue of being better-prepared for independent life, there’s another issue. If you've received help from your parents, do you feel more pressured to do well? Are you trying to give your parents a return on their fiscal support, and could this even impact on the degree you choose to study? Is this pressure and possible compromise worth the support received?

And what role should the government play?

On a final note, many of the UK students we spoke to believe the government should cover university costs. Scotland already does this, as does Germany, and until 1998 England offered free university courses, though with far fewer students enrolling. Jacques argues, “The government should subsidize [university costs]. If that means higher tax, so be it. A better educated workforce is the one.” Meanwhile Nelson suggests that the most talented students should be given free education: “The government should completely pay for it all, but only for the top courses at the top universities.”

Now it’s your turn! Who do you think should cover university costs (if they can)? Have you taken on a part-time job while studying? And if so, do you think this has helped or hindered your development? Share your opinions in the comments below.

Lizzi Hart is a final year linguistics student, a marketing assistant at the Graduate Recruitment Bureau and a freelance music journalist. She has had work published through The Guardian, Cosmopolitan, Metro, The Huffington Post, Elite Daily and Thought Catalog.