I don't think I should pay for this...AIBU?

[Wenjie]

DD is at a university in the United States getting a four year degree in Art & Design: Games and Playable Media. She just found out she almost has enough credits to get a two year degree in Business Administration. It would be around 800 USD, which converts to about 590 GBP. She doesn't think that's much, but I don't even know that employers would care about a two year degree. I know this might not be the right place to post something about schools in the states, but it's caused friction. Am I being too unaccommodating?

I definitely think this sounds worthwhile. Only you can know whether your finances allow for it, but in theory I'd definitely help one of my Dcs out with this cost.

@User135792468 She's at a public university in California, and did her first two years tuition free in a California community college. She gets in state tuition.

Surely it's not just the cost of the course but her living expenses that will be accumulating during the extra two years?

Seeing your further update why doesn't she do the four hours during her current course? Doesn't sound too demanding? And is she working part time to help with her finances? Are you US citizens?

If she thinks it isn't much then she should pay it, I assume she has a part time job.

i would, anything extra on a CV is good and will make her stand out but obviously only if the 590 wasnt going to cause hardship

I'd go against the grain. If I were interviewing for a tech job and it seemed like all their optional classes had been business classes, and not extra tech I'd be worried they'd not have a good breadth of skills.

Not that you shouldn't pay for it, but it's not always something I'd want to highlight to a firm.

A minor or Associate degree in Business or Education is always an asset when paired with a Major in another field. Definitely worth it, especially as she is in California where community college is free.

Unless you're oligarchs £55k is a sizeable amount of money,

£55k is a relatively inexpensive USA Bachelors degree. In the 90’s when I attended a USA University my fees for courses (excluding living on campus which was mandatory for first year students plus buying books) was $30k per year.

Honestly, I’d probably fund it.

If you can afford it, I would pay it. Or say that she needs to return the money by X date. Is she working at all, could she save for it herself?

I’d say £600 is almost nothing for an extra qualification. I recently needed to add two languages to my CV within a 12 month timeframe (mixture of new country + required industry language), just for one of them it cost me €1600 in specific exam board prep and assessment fees, etc.

£600 is cheap for what you describe. But you’re also within your rights to refuse to fund it if you don’t want to. She can work and save for it.

As you've now clarified it isn't 2 more years of study I would ask why wouldn't you? £56k instead of £55,500 seems doable and it gives an additional qualification

If I were interviewing for a tech job and it seemed like all their optional classes had been business classes,

An Associate degree in Business from a Community College in the USA will not strictly be all Business focused coursework - it should have included broader courses as well such as English and Sciences, Humanities, etc.

That extra qualification could be what tips the odds in her favour at some point. How about funding it on condition that she pays you that particular amount back?

Education is one thing I will always pay for for my DC if I can afford to.

The price is minuscule against the cost of her main course but gives her an extra qualification, I’d be pushing her to do it rather than saying no.

£500 seems such a drop in the ocean now you've paid £55000! Surely it's not going to disadvantage her and could absolutely advantage her. Unless it's financially unviable I honestly don't see why you wouldn't fund it.

I think it would definitely enhance her CV and will be a relatively small additional amount on top of the cost of her original degree. If you can afford it, I would, even if she pays you back when she's earning. Or would it be an option for her to take a part time job to pay for it herself?

Unless you're oligarchs £55k is a sizeable amount of money, so I'd not be impressed by your DD waltzing up to ask for more, and I'm guessing not being particularly grateful about the ask.

You’ve made a few unpleasant and unwarranted assumptions about the DD there, unless of course you were actually present during the conversation.

Just to reiterate what @VelvetChairGirl mentioned. For a games job, experience and knowledge of programming & different languages is really important, no matter the role.

Regardless of whether she gets this extra part to her degree or not, I would be encouraging your daughter to work on making some games in her spare time.

My OH has worked in games for many years & when he left uni the degree was just something to tick off the list - what they really wanted to see was what projects he had been involved in outside of education and what his technical knowledge was like.

@Warmduscher I made no assumptions, that's why I said I'm guessing. Tell me what other assumptions I made as I can't see any ?

I would fund it. It's a lot of money but not so much in the sense of additional education. Especially if you have already paid £55500, it will just make it £56000.

Is it like a fall-back option? If she does not finish the degree, she at least has this to show for her efforts?

I would pay

@stuntbubbles

I really thought I was missing a “k” on the end of your figures, but you’re talking about a little over five hundred quid? If you can afford it, which presumably you can if you’ve funded a £55k degree, I’d pay it. Even if it’s on a “this comes out of your first salary until it’s paid back” basis.

Me too! OP it is peanuts compared to what you are already paying. Make it her combined birthday and Christmas present for the next 2 years?

I’d absolutely pay for it unless I was totally broke. It’s a low investment with potential for massive returns. It might be the edge over competition in going for jobs.

@Kuachui

i would, anything extra on a CV is good and will make her stand out but obviously only if the 590 wasnt going to cause hardship

Would it make her stand out though, if it can be bought for 800 bucks? Surely loads of others will do the same. I’d be focusing more on the value of what she will learn by doing the course.

As someone who works in the Education sector, and sees various CVs, and education levels, I would 100% fund this if you can.

To be honest, it's a bargain, and the knowledge she'll get from it, plus the addition to her CV will be well worth it.