Dave Ramsey says: Take job’s offer to pay for college and avoid loan debt
Nov 12, 2019, 12:00 PM
(Storyblocks Images Photo)
Dear Dave,
My husband and I are in our twenties, and we work for the same company.
We’ve been thinking about going back to school and finishing our degrees because our employer is willing to pay for up to 10 credit hours, plus books, per semester with no strings attached.
My parents think we should get student loans instead, so we can finish faster.
We both have less than two years to go to complete our degrees, so what do you think?
— Janet
Dear Janet,
Wow, this is a fantastic opportunity! How many times does someone offer to pay for a college degree with no financial strings attached?
I’m sure your folks want what’s best for you, but the truth is you probably couldn’t take more than nine or 10 hours per semester, work full-time jobs, and keep your relationship and marriage healthy.
If you’ve both got less than two years of school left, it’s not going to take that long, anyway. You’re still young and have plenty of time to make this happen.
I don’t think your parents mean any harm, but they’re wrong on this one.
I’ve got a feeling they’re like most people in America today. They’ve spent most of their lives swimming in debt, and they’ve reached a point where they’ve just accepted it and think there’s no other way.
To me, that’s sad.
If you and your husband really want to finish your degrees, I’d say the two of you need to march into work tomorrow morning, and take advantage of that wonderful offer.
Stay away from debt!
— Dave