>>My experience is very similar. I can't remember any of my high school friends (95% Jewish) who didn't go to college. We all expected our parents would pay for it. In my case, however,
>>I went to a low-cost state university, but there were four of us in college simultaneously. My parents did what they could, but we all needed loans to make up the difference. The loans became our responsibility when we graduated.
>>
>>My sons both went to more expensive schools (my ex's choice, not mine). We did the same thing in that they are responsible for the loans after graduation.
>>
>
>My deal with my parents was that when it came time to pay the loans, we'd see who was in a better position to pay them. Since I spent a lot of years in grad school (funded by the University) before I had to start paying, the amount was negligible by then.
>
>>I've never really discussed it, but I assumed this was a common arrangement.
>
>I've talked to a lot of people with experiences like Mike's, but I don't think any of them (or at least very many) were Jewish. I think it's in our culture that we expect to pay right through that very last day of medical school. <vbg>
>
>Tamar (who isn't raising any MD's-to-be)

There is one, old saying (from our common background):
When parents pay to help children, both smile. When children pay to help parents, both weep.
(sorry, for awkward translation)