Teen wants an education I cannot afford, what are our options?

[AmandaKris]

I need some help. my kid wants an education that I cannot afford. what do i do?

Well, drawing on all the information and context you’ve given in your post, I don’t know.

How old is the child? 13, 19? What do you mean by education? Private school, university, a governess, chess lessons, a Grand Tour?

maybe take in some ironing? 😉

What do you do? You tell them no.

You say 'I can't afford it.' I can't see what the problem is.

Tbh everyone these days sets up gofune me . So why not for something as important as this.
Such a shame , as if your child has the capabilities and the want to further educate it mousy be very upsetting for you both. @AmandaKris

Join the ranks of all the people in the world who want things they can't afford. Or take in washing/clean houses/write a novel.

At 14 DD was adamant she wanted to go to a private school for Sixth Form. It really wasn't on our radar and we couldn't afford. However, giving her a chance, we told her she had to investigate her preferred options, contact them herself and if they were interested, we would support her in terms of auditions, exams, open days, form filling. She got two offers, one scholarship and full bursury, one scholarship and 60% bursury. Scholarships included 10% distance, school equipment and uniform.

She then wanted to go to uni, she got a student form based on affordability - and we did top up that as she was in a very expensive city. Took her a year to get a job, but initially that was at home, she had three years of working 39+ when she was home without fail. That job meant she could apply for a supervisior job at uni paying a bit more money.

I’d speak to the school or college first and ask what financial support, bursaries or scholarships might be available. It’s also worth looking at alternative courses or routes that could lead to the same career without the same cost.

Surely they can just take in some ironing?

As school is free in this country then I assume you mean university? Will they not get maximum loan or do you not have enough if they don’t? Mine does and it just about covers her accommodation and bills, so she works summers to get enough to live on - I pay for her phone that’s it. Or your child could pick a university within commutable sustancie if feasible. Or they take a gap year would hard and save up. And/or choose a university where rent is cheaper.
If you’re talking a particular school or college then it’s needs must and if you can’t afford it then you can’t afford it.

Explain to them that wants and gets are different.

Then once they’ve understood that, explain the value of money.

This is an easy one. They can't have it!

You tell them the hard truth we’ve all had to learn.

’I want doesn’t get.’

I wanted to be schooled at Malory Towers, swimming in the natural pool, playing lacrosse and midnight feasts. I got a North Yorkshire comp with 2,000 students, a rat problem and bullies.

Thankfully I still learnt enough to be doing my third degree.

Then you can't afford it?

Bots trying to harvest how humans react emotionally when goaded like this.

Sell your organs? Or just say ‘Can’t afford it’?

Obviously you sell your house and all possessions. Work two jobs and do Only Fans in your spare time. You can film the content from the tent you now live in.

The student gets a job and saves enough money for his or her own education.

This is what my brother did. Got a job for three years while sofa surfing and winging it and saved up enough for his university education.

No is a complete sentence 🤷‍♀️ there’s public school etc in every country and if it’s university etc then they need to get a loan and job if that’s what they want and you can’t afford it

As my granny said: “Want don’t get.”

Tell her to use it to motivate her to educate herself and succeed so she can afford whatever she wants herself.

Well, @AmandaKris - first you need to write an opening post that actually gives some information on your situation.

Otherwise less gullible posters will be reluctant to engage …

Put the fees on your card
Borrow from friends
Take up an MLM side-hustle
Go on the game

Stupid advice - because your OP is so lazy!

My child wants a horse, I would dearly love to buy her one because I know she would love it and care for it, but we just can’t afford it right now financially or time wise. You just have to say no sometimes

The answer is no, unless you have some grand plan to create more money in a quick space of time.

My teen came home from a UCAS info day this week with a prospectus for St Andrews Uni. Full of excitement for how wonderful it would be and preaching on the great courses they offer. Very short conversation: "I can't afford to facilitate you living away from home for university so you'll need to come up with a plan for how you'd do that independently or apply to one of the (many and very good) universities in Glasgow"

Suffice to say that when she realised she'd have to employ some serious thinking power into making it happen, it became far less appealing and suddenly Strathclyde or Glasgow Uni will be just lovely, thanks.