Ensignhood, debt, cars, and family help therewith

[MIDNJAC]

I'm not gonna let you use my table, tv and Kegorator now, just cause I can.

Are you still starting Monday?

I dunno dude, would it have changed?

 

[UpstateSouthpaw]

I'm pretty sure no one has posted anything about outside scholarships. I had a couple from high school going into NROTC which helped a lot. Also (for your younger son) some schools will pay all or a portion of room & board for ROTC students (Norwich for example I know does). I know a bunch of people that received scholarships other than just the NROTC scholarship which helped them out a lot. In short, having an NROTC scholarship doesn't make you exempt from receiving others. It may be a little late for your one son, but your other who is about to start, I would definitely look into it. I was fortunate enough to graduate without any school loan debt due to my school paying for my room & board (not covered under NROTC scholarship) and having the stipend from the Navy. Hope this is helpful.

 

[D_Rob]

I dunno dude, would it have changed?

Stucon called me today to say I was now in the march 9 class. I was very confused.

 

[MIDNJAC]

Stucon called me today to say I was now in the march 9 class. I was very confused.

you got bumped for a short while because they thought roomatte #4 was "senior" to us on primary completion date. No worries, we can still carpool and have sack lunches on monday.

 

[LazersGoPEWPEW]

While we're discussing this, is there any real benefit to having a 'relocation friendly' ride? Like a truck or SUV?

I've never had to do a military move but I've done plenty of moves. In the past before I attained furniture I could pack EVERYTHING I owned in my Bronco and move it. I just bought a 2001 Cherokee and plan to keep my Bronco.

Both are solid vehicles even though currently my Bronco is busy going nowhere. 20 year old truck though.

I think if you get an SUV you should get one with some power so that it can tow. That way if you have some larger stuff you can attach a UHaul trailer and whambam you're on your way.

Oh and I don't owe a dime on either vehicle.

 

[MrsPickle]

You guys saying "cut the umbilical" are out of line.

Parents paying their child's college room and board is not an "umbilical". It's parents doing as they see best for their child. That's what parents do and it is their decision based on their circumstances and what they can afford.

Here's a news flash for you - my parents paid 100% of both my brother's and my tuition, books, room, board, living expenses, cars and car insurance while we were in college. They wanted us to concentrate on getting the best education possible without worrying about money. We both worked part-time jobs for our drinking money but very they were minimal part-time jobs.
**other stuff from HAL**

I'd have to agree on this one. Pickle and I have over $120K in student loans between us. That puts an incredible amount of strain on our relationship. We are slated to pay these loans until 2042 and 2044, respectively.

At this point, we're trying to put a little away for the little Pickles. We are by no means destitute (we put quite a bit away in TSP every month, and that rocks), we just aren't living "the JO life..."

I wish that my parents had helped with my college, but if we're wishing, I also wish that I hadn't taken out the max loan each semester. I think there is a balance between "umbilical cord" and fiscal responsibility.

On the car subject, Pickle has his POS truck, that he bought with his Enlistment Bonus (when he received his Aircrew wings), but I have the "Ensign Mobile." I have a 2006 Ford Freestyle (station wagon). Most of you do not need Ensign Mobiles, and if I had a dollar for every BMW I saw... Anyway, if you are going to get a loan, or use the majority of your USAA loan to get a car, think about the future. Most of you aren't too many years away from a wife, family, etc. Scary, I know... but, true.

I'm not saying, go out and buy a minivan, but it's pretty hard to put a baby carrier in a BMW Roadster.

Oh, and we make out okay with our partial-DITY moves. Pickle crams the truck full of stuff, and I put all the "kid essentials" in the car (pack n play, toys, extra diapers, etc). We have moved NINE times in 5 years, so don't think that you only move every 3 years or so. We haven't fulfilled a lease since we've been married.

 

[scoolbubba]

I'm not saying, go out and buy a minivan, but it's pretty hard to put a baby carrier in a BMW Roadster..

That's why you gotta go with the quad cab truck. You can put a lot of things in it, including the baby carrier.

 

[Jynx]

Your opinion on what a student does or does not receive in the areas of education, discipline and experience. But my experience was those that were not constantly working or paying their own way generally complete college quicker and with better grades. I'll admit my experience was 25+ years ago and things change, but my friends putting their kids through college now generally have the same impression.

Calling it a "crutch" or "booster seat" is what those whose parents didn't pay or help pay for their college usually say. I'm sorry your parents either would not or could not do it for you, but that doesn't mean you have more character or are a better person. That's just the breaks. It sucks for you.

22 year old getting help from his parents for college - perfectly accepted and even expected. Why do you think the military, federal government and most good corporate jobs extend dependent benefits to child under 23 if they are enrolled full-time in school?

Again - I call it a parent doing everything possible within their means for their child. That is what being a parent is all about. Get a little older, gain some more life experiences and have a kid. Then maybe you will understand.

Speaking as a guy finishing his last semester, I've gotta agree more generally with HAL. While your mileage may vary, I'm fortunate enough that I only have to part time VERY infrequently to make up the difference between tuition and what my parents can put towards it. I'd consider it a slap in the face to them if I spent more then an hour a day not doing something directly related to health or (future) wealth. Mind you, I've not got a car and I'm very aware of when my supermarket puts its meat on sale, but the fact is that I'm free now to concentrate on things like my thesis and the all important application to OCS...

 

[Uncle Fester]

I don't think it's a one-or-the-other thing. My folks made it clear to me that I was expected to get on the oars and row when it came to paying for college, but if I did my best to pick up as much financial aid and scholarships as possible, they'd make up the difference.

As it was, I went to the Chesapeake Clown College, so their end was paying the $2K-ish "initial issue" fees. Spending money whilest there was on me.

Teaching fiscal responsibility doesn't mean cutting the kiddos off - it's encouraging them to do their part and work for what they want.

 

[Spekkio]

Ya I agree it's acceptable without a question, but if you really think people who don't work in most cases receive a better education I find that hard to believe. I have friends on both sides of the coin and the ones that don't work, just have more time for social activities. (ie. drinking, sports, laying around, chasing women, whatever they like to do.) If you feel this is "focusing on your education" then I'm sorry. By you paying for your kids college and all other expenses basically, which again there is nothing wrong with, you're basically giving them more time to do what they please.

I also agree with HAL. When I went through college, the people who had to work heavy hours-full-time to make ends meet were the ones who were under-performing in grades. They also couldn't readily do extra unpaid lab-work/internships/whatever to get that key recommendation. You might be a shit-hot BK worker, but your manager there isn't going to get you into grad school. Post college, these people are more likely to run into stressful financial hardships, since they went into heavy debt to afford college in the first place. You might see the value in voluntarily putting your kids into this situation, but I don't.

I had tuition paid for on scholarship, but when it came to room and board my parents paid whatever federal loans wouldn't cover. Their premise was simple: If your grades slip, the money goes away. I still worked hard in college, got good grades, and had a part-time job to pay for my own non-essentials.

Ya I agree it's acceptable without a question, but if you really think people who don't work in most cases receive a better education I find that hard to believe. I have friends on both sides of the coin and the ones that don't work, just have more time for social activities. (ie. drinking, sports, laying around, chasing women, whatever they like to do.) If you feel this is "focusing on your education" then I'm sorry. By you paying for your kids college and all other expenses basically, which again there is nothing wrong with, you're basically giving them more time to do what they please.

If they don't work, where are they getting the money to go out boozin and chase women? Paying tuition and giving your kid large amounts of money to blow on partying are two very different things. I agree that parents should not do the latter, but I know that when I went through college, I made enough working full-time during summer break to support luxuries throughout the school year, so long as I budgeted right.

I'm not saying, go out and buy a minivan, but it's pretty hard to put a baby carrier in a BMW Roadster.

That's why you get a good deal on a lease with a low down-payment, then when you're making O-3 pay and wanna have kids, you can buy something more "responsible." No USAA loan required.

I would base the decision of SUV vs. sedan/coupe on other factors rather than just partial DITY moves every few years. You can stuff quite a bit of stuff into a sedan. You also get 5 days worth of Temporary Lodging Expenses within 50 mi of your old/new command...so sleep in a hotel, use their free wi-fi/cable tv until your stuff arrives.

If you own a home and plan on doing a lot of work on it yourself, then a truck would have more use. If you're single and going to be living in apartments for a while, then save on gas and go for a car.

 

[RyanF]

Ya I agree it's acceptable without a question, but if you really think people who don't work in most cases receive a better education I find that hard to believe. I have friends on both sides of the coin and the ones that don't work, just have more time for social activities. (ie. drinking, sports, laying around, chasing women, whatever they like to do.) If you feel this is "focusing on your education" then I'm sorry. By you paying for your kids college and all other expenses basically, which again there is nothing wrong with, you're basically giving them more time to do what they please.

The difference in the amount of hours people put into their studies who work and don't work, probably isn't all that great. Of course there are exceptions for some people that are extremely serious students and would rather study than party, but this is the exception rather than the rule.

You've obviously never been to the engineering side of campus have you?

 

[spinspilot]

My parents pay for my rent, but I have taken out Govt loans for tuition and spending money. My parents do give me money here and there though. Some semesters I have worked part time, others I have not. I dont think working part time detracts from the studies or partying depending on course load. I will say that I count my lucky stars at night, because I know if they didnt help, this journey would SUCK. As I am getting near the end of school, Ive started feeling guilty when it comes time to tell them rent is due. I really just want to finish now.
For guys still in school with a ways to go, dont be a sucker like your friends and work at BK, go get a part time telemarketing job with comission. I was making $500 every 2 weeks for 20 hrs of work. instead of a bottle of ABC vodka, it was Grey Goose.

 

[UpstateSouthpaw]

You've obviously never been to the engineering side of campus have you?

I hear that!!!

 

[Daisy]

You've obviously never been to the engineering side of campus have you?

Tough majors like engineering...I've also met a handful of (N)ROTC students who have a major plus a minor in one of those strategically desirable but sadistically difficult languages...add NROTC and then add a part time job. Are many NROTC students actually doing all this?

NROTC takes up roughly the same amount of time as a part time job and the student is paid monthly. To me, it is the equivalent of a part time job.

Anyone who has an NROTC scholarship still has the room and board gap to pay. That cost has to go somewhere - either the student takes loans or the parents provide the funds. If the parents don't help then many Ensigns arrive at their first post-college training with debt - hopefully not too much.

As HAL said:

I call it a parent doing everything possible within their means for their child.

Good parents look out for their kids and hopefully those good kids will look out for Mom and Dad when the time comes.

It stressed me just to read this but p3wife has a good point - the debt is combined in marriage:

I'd have to agree on this one. Pickle and I have over $120K in student loans between us. That puts an incredible amount of strain on our relationship. We are slated to pay these loans until 2042 and 2044, respectively.

By the rest of her post it's obvious that she and Pickle are great parents and are making wise choices on how to manage the debt and still provide well for their children. Good luck! The little pickles are very fortunate.

FWIW - my son will have debt, too. I suspect that he might use that USAA "Career Starter Loan" to fund PRK if it turns out he needs it.

I still have a car question - out of curiosity:

The Ensignmobile...is that an amazingly fly car that costs more than is prudent or is it the opposite - an ugly but reliable vehicle?

 

[MettGT]

I still have a car question - out of curiosity:

The Ensignmobile...is that an amazingly fly car that costs more than is prudent or is it the opposite - an ugly but reliable vehicle?

The former.