University costs when short credits

[rockscan]

Hey, I actually work in the field. I also took five courses a year, worked 35 hours a week and took care of a sick parent. Her dad did the field, competed in sports and worked 20 hours a week. My argument wasnt that its easy, its that its questionable on the whole "im in a hard program and need to reduce my courseload" arguments while spending a bulk of time partying and goofing around with friends (seen on social media daily). But just like Straightohell said, its kids' mistake to make. And if he tries to ask his ex about it in a "hey, as parents, shouldnt we be trying to help kid make responsible mature decisions that wont create problems for the future" he gets a "youre mean to our children, I know whats best for them" response. Like I said to him when there was no residence room after missing a very publicized deadline, let her fall on her face a few times, eventually she will learn the lesson.

[DowntroddenDad]

Ahem.

I work in that area. I see A LOT of students from the "hard" sciences who take these courses as "soft options", only be to shocked when they get Ds and Fs for the first time, because they have to read and understand complex arguments, think critically, and write organized, persuasive essays that show original thought. Social sciences and humanities can be more challenging than courses where you rely on rote memorization of formulas and facts and then spit them back out in multiple-choice tests or problem sets.

Courses in any field can be challenging, or they can be "bird" courses. Don't assume that the kid is taking an easy road just because you don't know the subject matter. Take a look at the requirements and assignments for the course before you judge it.

As a PoliSci/Public Admin grad, I concur. My stats course had a huge dropout rate - 2/3 of the people who took it for the first time failed, and it was mandatory for the honours degree. Most of these courses require a huge amount of reading, I think I had easily 2-3 hours of reading for every hour of lecture. I spent many hours in writing essays. My computer science course was relatively easy in comparison.

[Straittohell]

Oh, and ditto with what stripes said. Humanities requires a different type of thinking, but isn't necessarily 'easier' than the sciences.

[Straittohell]

Yep, I think this is going to be one of those cases of your partner needing to step back and let his kid make her own (possibly bad) decisions.

Based on the history of your posts, his daughter is pretty much on team mom, and will do whatever mom says, unfortunately.

[stripes]

And its not a difficult degree program. Humanities/social science and kid has been volunteering in the field for years. If it was nuclear biology of scientific mathematical rocket science he would be totally on board with a light course load. But underwater basket weaving for tea parties? Questionable

Ahem.

I work in that area. I see A LOT of students from the "hard" sciences who take these courses as "soft options", only be to shocked when they get Ds and Fs for the first time, because they have to read and understand complex arguments, think critically, and write organized, persuasive essays that show original thought. Social sciences and humanities can be more challenging than courses where you rely on rote memorization of formulas and facts and then spit them back out in multiple-choice tests or problem sets.

Courses in any field can be challenging, or they can be "bird" courses. Don't assume that the kid is taking an easy road just because you don't know the subject matter. Take a look at the requirements and assignments for the course before you judge it.

[rockscan]

P.S. Nomad, you might want to look at your agreement. Most of the time cs ends at 18 if kid isnt in full time studies. If you have documentation to prove they're part time, you might have a leg to stand on.

[rockscan]

No we know its full time. He just isnt being given info on what is going on and hes concerned about the decisions being made. First it was take a year off to get grades up for scholarships- didnt work; then residence and registration deadlines were missed-no residence rooms left and classes kid wanted were full; now he finds out only four classes are being taken meaning degree might be screwed up. Hes worried bad decisions are being made and it will screw kid in the future. The ex has a higher % to pay and kid is on the hook for their portion. When my partner and I talked about it last night, his concern was that his kid was being given bad advice on education--not money. But like I said to him, ultimately shes the one who pays the price. And its not a difficult degree program. Humanities/social science and kid has been volunteering in the field for years. If it was nuclear biology of scientific mathematical rocket science he would be totally on board with a light course load. But underwater basket weaving for tea parties? Questionable

[movingON1975]

66.6% or greater course load was full time when I was in University....

Some programs are 6 classes per semester, I took 4 or 5 per term and focused on the work, and I would encourage others whom can financially swing it to do the same.

When I took 6 classes plus labs, I ended up with less than scholarly results...

[HammerDad]

4 courses is full-time. Depending on the nature of the course, the child may have good reason to extend it a year. If it is high stress course and/or heavy workload, I can see the benefit to the kid. They may rightly say their chances of succeeding are greater by doing it this way.

[arabian]

Much depends upon the program. 4 courses through a university term is full-time. Actually I believe 3 courses is considered full-time for many programs.

Kid's an honor student and I'd encourage them. If it takes lightening the load to maintin honor GPA then so be it. It is very competitive out there after graduation.

Wonderful kid is honor student!

[rockscan]

Thanks stripes. Hes more concerned about whats going on with kids life and education than costs. Four years from now he'll worry about the rest. For now he wants to make sure responsible decisions are being made.

[nomad]

WOW i am in the same boat , kid is 21and only doing 1.5 credits that's not full time in my books and i am wondering if I can stop support ,
sorry to hog thread but seems like the same issue
do we have to pay support if the kid is only part time ?

[stripes]

Clauses like this in a divorce order are usually structured as "or ... or" inclusive clauses. So if child has fulfilled any of the following conditions:

Turned 22 OR
Completed a postsecondary degree OR
Completed four years of full-time study

then and only then, mom and dad are off the hook financially. A parent's opinion that a kid is "fooling around" isn't relevant to support payments, even though the kid may be wasting his/her precious opportunities for postsecondary.

Dad can't say "forget it" until at least one of these conditions has been met, After that, it's up to him and mom as to whether they want to continue supporting kid.

[rockscan]

Also, agreement states "child support ends....child obtains one post secondary degree or diploma; child turns 22 years of age..." Which begs the question if they spend the next 3, 4, 5, 6, years fooling around and only taking a few courses at a time, does the 22 clause come in. Really the ex pays more of the costs but if shes turning a blind eye to this behaviour, shouldnt dad say forget it, you can take responsibility?

[rockscan]

No hes emailing kid now to see whats going on. Hes pretty concerned about whats happening. Hes heard from kid 2 about all the partying and trips home and not going to classes etc so he's even more concerned hes not being told what is happening. If its a case of her health/grades etc fine but if kid is just doing it because the class they really wanted was full so they decided to take four and spend the extra time partying, theres a bigger issue than cs and s7 costs.