Originally Posted By: doitmyself
Community college for the first 2 or 3 terms, then transfer.
Let him live at home and save a boatload of money. Make sure that he plans VERY carefully so that all his credits transfer. Why pay the high prices for general classes that will be taught by foreign teaching assistants addressing 200 or more students per class?
This will teach him about making sacrifices but he will still get an opportunity for the big college experience in the end. There are lots of "help wanted" signs across Michigan now and there are tons of student jobs available at MSU.
Best of luck to you and your future Spartan.
This actually could be a very smart move. I don't know how it is where you live, but where I am if you go to the local community college and get your associates degree with a decent GPA, you have guaranteed acceptance into several very good state universities. It's worth looking into to see if you have something similar set up around you. It'll drastically reduce your son's tuition rates the first two years, and still allow him to get a B.S. or B.A. degree from a university in four years. Plus, with the reduced tuition rates the first two years, you can have him pay his own tuition so that he better understands the value of money and hard work.
Regardless of what you do, I suggest you have him pay for some of his own tuition. It really helps teach kids the value of money when they realize they can't just spend every dollar they get in their hands. I know way too many kids who graduate college and get a job, but they're still on their parent's cell phone plan, still on their parent's insurance plan (health and auto), and their parents help pay their rent despite the kid having a job and waisting most of their income on partying with friends. We all have to grow up some time, and I think having a child help pay for their own tuition is a great character building opportunity for them. But please understand, this is just my opinion and i'm not trying to tell you or anyone else how to care for their child.