Parents paying for school

[dentaldawg32]

I will be attending a private dental school and my parents insist on footing the 80k bill (note: I do not have a state school). I feel extremely happy at the prospect of coming out of dental school debt free, but at the same time, I feel guilty for taking all my parents money. I would almost prefer to take out loans, but my parents will not let me. How can I broach this subject with my parents without sounding ungrateful?

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[pidbull]

talk to them, tell them you are grateful.
take their money and pay them back like you would the banks?

 

[Danae00]

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[SeattleRDH]

Set aside the money that you would spend on student loan payments and send them on an amazing vacation every year.

 

[Simiam]

Set aside the money that you would spend on student loan payments and send them on an amazing vacation every year.

+1!

Make sure they are taken care of in old age.

 

[Oracle DMD]

you should not feel guilty for having an advantage. think about how you could be a better dentist w/o the burden that your classmates will carry. without that 4k/mo payment, maybe you could do an extra day at a community clinic or volunteerng with your college's pre-dental club, or maybe devote some time to organized dentistry or even research. get into whatever you'd like. let your advantage benefit others instead of letting that advantage define you. good luck!

 

[dentalWorks]

I will be attending a private dental school and my parents insist on footing the 80k bill (note: I do not have a state school). I feel extremely happy at the prospect of coming out of dental school debt free, but at the same time, I feel guilty for taking all my parents money. I would almost prefer to take out loans, but my parents will not let me. How can I broach this subject with my parents without sounding ungrateful?

I mean if your parents are well-off and 80k is nothing to them, take advantage of the fact that your parents love you enough to pay for your higher education.... Later in your life if you become a very successful dentist and make a heavy income, pay back that 80k (atleast its interest free )

If your parents are struggling financially or would start to struggle after giving you the 80k, then I wouldn't take it.

 

[xhamburgersamx]

For truly wealthy parents, 80k is nothing FYI. If they are willing to pay that amount, it must have no sure effect on their well-being and living.

 

[Flipper405]

I mean if your parents are well-off and 80k is nothing to them, take advantage of the fact that your parents love you enough to pay for your higher education.... Later in your life if you become a very successful dentist and make a heavy income, pay back that 80k (atleast its interest free )

If your parents are struggling financially or would start to struggle after giving you the 80k, then I wouldn't take it.

Agreed, this is my mindset. Although my parents can't afford to help me out nearly as much as OP's situation, they are helping out as much as they can. This helps motivate me to survive dental school so that I will be able to take care of them in the future.

 

[dentaldawg32]

I mean if your parents are well-off and 80k is nothing to them, take advantage of the fact that your parents love you enough to pay for your higher education.... Later in your life if you become a very successful dentist and make a heavy income, pay back that 80k (atleast its interest free )

If your parents are struggling financially or would start to struggle after giving you the 80k, then I wouldn't take it.

Well, it's actually 80 x 4 = 320k, so not exactly a small sum.

Regardless, thanks everyone for the advice. I talked it over with my parents and they are adamant about paying. My dad is a dentist so if he can afford to send me to dental school without loans, that really says something about the monetary benefits of the profession (he's also paying for 2 of my other siblings educations, as well). I will just pay them back, probably by working under my dad when I graduate.

 

[TBoz129]

Dear Dentaldawg,
It appears that you are truly in an unfortunate predicament, for which I would like to express my sincerest condolences. Just for kicks and giggles, I would recommend taking the money and providing free dental care to your futute clinic patients, their spouses, and neighbors (on the left only). best of luck.
-cheers

 

[BiomajorPreDent]

I will be attending a private dental school and my parents insist on footing the 80k bill (note: I do not have a state school). I feel extremely happy at the prospect of coming out of dental school debt free, but at the same time, I feel guilty for taking all my parents money. I would almost prefer to take out loans, but my parents will not let me. How can I broach this subject with my parents without sounding ungrateful?

You would not be ungrateful. Accept their gift of debt free education. You will have a huge headstart once you start practicing without debt, and you are very lucky.

You can pass on the kindness by paying for your own childrens education (once you have kids obviously)

 

[pinetar321]

dude your parents must be loaded, dawg

 

[trust068]

don't feel guilty, just take the money. at least that is what i did .. but i also take Subsidized Loan ($8500/ year) to help out.

you can see it as an advantage. your life would be so much easier after you graduate and you can purchase your home/office sooner than rest of classmates.

 

[phungy]

Did you get into USC or NYU?

 

[dentaldawg32]

Did you get into USC or NYU?

Neither, didn't apply

 

[JPevzner]

What school are you talking about, dawg? Also, how can your parents afford to foot this enormous bill for your education and the education of your other siblings? Something seems odd. You mentioned your dad is a dentist. While we all know dentists make great money, I am almost positive a single working dentist would not be able to afford such extraordinary expenditures.

 

[DrDDSman]

What school are you talking about, dawg? Also, how can your parents afford to foot this enormous bill for your education and the education of your other siblings? Something seems odd. You mentioned your dad is a dentist. While we all know dentists make great money, I am almost positive a single working dentist would not be able to afford such extraordinary expenditures.

Maybe his father has a keen business sense and has some fruitful investments on the side. I know a few professionals that are doing really well with investments (stocks, real estate, etc ), and make just as much if not more than their day job. FYI, these people are engineering consultants, dentist and two physicians.

 

[dentaldawg32]

What school are you talking about, dawg? Also, how can your parents afford to foot this enormous bill for your education and the education of your other siblings? Something seems odd. You mentioned your dad is a dentist. While we all know dentists make great money, I am almost positive a single working dentist would not be able to afford such extraordinary expenditures.

I don't know what to tell you, other than the fact that he's a specialist and takes on lots of difficult/lucrative cases. Beyond that, I haven't the faintest clue what he makes. I think it just really comes down to tradition - his father paid for his schooling and he wants to do the same for me.

He does a little investing on the side, but he's no Donald Trump.

Regardless, this thread can die, I've resolved the issue. Thanks for everyone's help.

 

[btk2333]

My parents are paying my full way as well. While my expenses are slightly less than 80k since I attend a state school and live in a house that they own (they don't live in it though, I pay utilities and upkeep but no rent), I still consider myself very lucky. Like a previous poster said, I intend to pay for my children's higher education and graduate school should they choose to attend. My parents have made it very clear to me that they would prefer I pay them back by paying for my kid's education rather than physically paying them back. My advice is to take the money, be very grateful, and make sure to call home often and remind them how grateful you are!

 

[The Anhedonia]

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