I think the huge post WW2 GI bill is instructive. Some govt cash to bootstrap yourself can make a huge difference if one does not have the resources.

Both DH and I are from families where our parents were the first to finish college...or high school for that matter. Parents were depression babies and had to quit school to get a job to help the family survive. My FIL used the GI bill to go from a car mechanic in WWII to an engineer at NASA. Dad was educated via the Catholic Church, and never would have made it without their help. Mom got her GED and BS after 6 kids, followed by a double masters paid for by work. (She had to give up a full private high school scholarship in the 1930's when her family was facing bankruptcy.) Grandparents certainly didn't have the means. I had to pay my way through school, and DH came out with loans as well, but we made sure our kids did not have that burden. 18 is not the age of actual maturity, particularly for boys.

IP

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