Going to college costs a lot of money. And if you pay for it by yourself there is a pretty big chance (like 100%) you’ll leave with a hefty debt. And if you are in college now, there’s a good chance you won’t be able to find a good job to pay off all that debt.

So what if someone offered to pay for all of your tuition? AND, on top of that, gave you $200 a week? What would you do for that kind of money? Would you agree to any terms? Would you, I dunno, let some guy spank you whenever he pleases for four years?

I can’t believe I just typed those words.
I also can’t believe I’m about to type the following words…

Henry Allen Fitzsimmons, a 54-year-old man, paid for three college women’s tuition AND an allowance in exchange for letting him spank them whenever the women broke the “Spencer Plan” rules.

[Crickets]
[Sound of dry heaving]

………

Um, I know at some points I was desperate for money during school, but… uh… not sure if I ever got that desperate.

[It's pretty obvious that the average CollegeCandy reader has some very strong opinions. Opinions that she likes to share with everyone on the site. We love a strong woman (unless she happens to be charging at us with her fists raised), so we thought we'd give her a real forum to discuss her thoughts, feelings, and perspectives. Every Friday I'll be featuring a hot topic (like social media blackout!) and leaving it up to you, the readers, to duke it out. So, read it and get your debate on in the comments section below!]

One of the big buzz topics surrounding colleges in the last couple of years has been an administrative push to get everyone to graduate “on time” – as in, the four year model. Florida’s university system thinks they might have found the answer – as a number of other colleges have – in “block tuition”. Block tuition is basically just a flat rate system where every student pays a set price for a year or semester, regardless of how many credit hours they take. I can see some serious advantages to this program – that might be completely outweighed by the disadvantages.

On the one hand, anybody taking a heavy course load essentially gets a couple of free classes since most block tuition systems are set up around 15 credit hours. Anyone who’s already taking 18 credits, then, is getting a break on her education. Also, somebody who might want to graduate earlier could possibly get a lot of their credits packed into a year without having to pay extra – awesome! The system obviously works because it’s become a norm for private universities along with some big names like the University of Texas at Austin and UCLA. Read More »

I’m grateful of my parents for many things: bringing me into this world, my killer sense of humor, taking me to morning band practice in high school at 6a.m., etc. However, there is one thing that I’m grateful for that most people is crazy:

I thank my parents for making me pay for my own college education.

You’d think that any parent with the financial ability would just automatically pay for their child’s education. It’s their duty, right? Well, my parents decided to take a different route. They believe that paying for your own college forces you to do better. To them, if your parents are paying for your college, it doesn’t matter if you fail a class. Mommy and daddy can just pay for you to take it again. They believe that not only will I most likely do better, but that I will appreciate my education more if I pay for it myself.

What I love about this is that in my family, I’m treated like an adult. I may be the youngest of three and to my parents I will always be the baby, but they acknowledge the fact that they raised an independent and mature daughter. My parents were the complete opposite of helicopter parents. They gave me enough space to make my own mistakes, learn from them, and now I’m much more self reliant and stronger. To me, paying for my own college is my parents’ final lesson.

If I can do this, I’m ready for the real world. Read More »

Recently, there have been several stories questioning the worth of a college education. Are we paying too much for a future that consists of scanning the classifieds for low-skilled work in flannel jammies while spooning Ben and Jerry’s into our higher-educated bodies?

The conversation is both controversial and thought provoking. As a current student, however, I’m choosing to oppose this idea and stick to the status quo: 4 years jam-packed with cram sessions, information overload, and a splash of debauchery. I don’t care what the statistics claim. With the help of your professors, a few BOVs, and the best part about college – NO PARENTS! – you’ll learn countless life skills that money (or a scholarship) really can buy. Read More »

Here at College Candy, we’re huge supporters of the college experience.  Whether you’re navigating the sometimes-choppy waters of freshman year or dealing with a horrible roommate, dealing with an LDR or preparing for graduation, we think all these experiences are crucial to shaping post-high school you.

Apparently not all of you agree with us, though.  The Wall Street Journal is reporting that only 63.5% of those aged 18-29 believes college is a good investment. Somewhat more shocking is that 61.5% of those over 65 agree that college is a worthwhile experience.  These numbers have dropped significantly since 2009- from 76.7% and 82.1% respectively.

Given the current economy, it’s not difficult to see why young people regret or want to avoid strapping themselves with hefty student loans.  But for people who went to college over forty years ago, have they not enjoyed receiving a significantly higher paycheck?  Or working in a field that requires a degree?  Do they think that spending four years among other educated young people, sharing ideas and growing together as a generation, isn’t important?

I know we often talk about the more lighthearted highs and lows of campus life, but the truth of the matter is that colleges genuinely benefit those who graduate from their hallowed halls.  Between tailgating and hooking up, five days a week you’re sitting in a classroom actually learning something and working towards a degree that will help you earn almost double what you would with only a high school diploma.  Prior to reading this study, I would’ve felt this is the point at which you’d all be shouting “Duh!”, but I question that now. Read More »

[It's pretty obvious that the average CollegeCandy reader has some very strong opinions. Opinions that she likes to share with everyone on the site. We love a strong woman (unless she happens to be charging at us with her fists raised), so we thought we'd give her a real forum to discuss her thoughts, feelings, and perspectives. Every Friday I'll be featuring a hot topic (like sexting!) and leaving it up to you, the readers, to duke it out. So, read it and get your debate on in the comments section below!]

I know what you’re thinking – no, I’m not talking about really active senior citizens, I think they’re great (go Betty White!) - I’m talking about those people who hang around undergrad for 6 or 7 or 10 years “finding themselves” without ever actually bothering to get a degree. Well now, with the budgets for higher education getting slashed left and right, some states have decided it’s time for these super-seniors to get moving.

On one side of the coin, this seems like a good idea. I’m all for finding yourself and making sure that your degree is right for you. I’m also all about living the dream (read: college life) for as long as humanly possible. But some people, like that 25-year-old guy everyone on my campus knew, start using these ideas as a way to avoid going out into the real world and growing up. Read More »

An earthquake? In Illinois?!

It’s a miracle MJ didn’t die sooner.

Make your legs look longer. Like, way long.

Google goes couture?

Calgary students protest tuition hike…naked.

What makes people on the Internet so angry?!

Studying on the beach? HELL NO.

WOAH. Stop right there. Hooooold up. Wait a minute. Don’t go there cuz I ain’t wit’ it.

I can’t believe my ears.

I just heard the worst idea in the history of idea-making and I swear I am not overreacting.

A US Senator, Lamar Alexander (yes, please send him nasty letters and kick him on the street), stated in a recent Newsweek Article that “an educational schedule of 3 months of summer is not relevant in today’s world and [college] students should take more credit hours and graduate in 3 years, saving 25% in tuition costs.”

I have so many problems with this one sentence I don’t even know where to begin.

I guess I should start with deep breathing into a brown paper bag. And eating a brownie.

Ok, now that I’m somewhat composed let’s start with Mr. Alexander’s cost argument. It’s an obvious fact that our parents, our own bank accounts, and out future selves for the next 15 years, are being raped of any and all money we make or will make to pay for college. But in the grand scheme of things, how much less of a burden is it to pay $120,000 versus $160,000?

Either way, the financial aspect of college has all of us students spurting premature wrinkles, and I’d rather spend one more year of my life tailgating, eating diner food at 4 am, and partying the night away before I have to face the fat, red negative number in my bank account. Read More »

Jon Gosselin and the nanny. Shocking.

We want to be Jennifer Garner.

Drama for Jen Aniston’s new movie!

Fashion week does party dresses. Which would you wear?

Chris Brown uses Twitter to get Rihanna back?

Michigan rep. proposes free college tuition.

Hollywood reacts to Michael’s death.

Bribery is the best way to teach abstinence.

Coping with the rising cost of college.

Johnny Depp: hottie and great tipper.

Holy effing ish. Jimmy Choo for H&M?!

Billy Bob Thornton may not be the shadiest one in the fam!