http://finance.yahoo.com/news/a-college-student-blows-inheritance-bert-show-205833329.html
Atlanta radio show “The Bert Show” had a guest on this week who has managed to incite the rage of just about every millennial in the state of Georgia (and beyond, the show is syndicated in 11 states).
The woman, a 22-year-old college junior named Kim, who did not give her last name on air and was allowed to use a voice disguiser to even further shield her identity, came to the three hosts with a confession: in just short three years she had managed to blow through a $90,000 college fund left to her by her grandparents. Kim has one year left of school and no way to cover her remaining $20,000 tuition balance.
The show’s hosts try to give Kim the benefit of the doubt. She’s come to them (for some untold reason — perhaps a financial aid officer would have been a wiser choice) in a time of great need and they at least want to try to help her.
But what followed has to be one of the most painful interviews that has ever been aired on national radio. Kim manages to personify just about every parent’s worst nightmare — an entitled 20-something who asks for handouts rather than face the very real financial challenges of young adulthood. You can listen to the full interview online at TheBertShow.com, but we’ve shared the highlights of Kim’s cringe-inducing description of her predicament below.
"Years ago my grandparents set up a college fund for me, which was amazing, and I haven’t been very good with my budget for school. The first payment for my senior year just arrived and I don’t have the money basically. I’ve just been avoiding it. I knew the bill was coming.”
“I used it to budget for school clothes and college break money. I probably should have not done that. I took a trip to Europe. The Europe thing I thought was part of my education and that’s how I tried to justify that.”
“Maybe [my parents] should have taught me to budget or something. They never sat me down and had a real serious talk about it.”
“[My parents] said there was nothing they could do for me. They’re not being honest with me saying they don't have [money] because my dad has worked for like a million years and they have a retirement account.”
“Then my parents suggested I go take out a loan at a credit union and I’m, like, how am I supposed to do that?"
“I have to go inside the bank to get a loan?”
.Bert Show co-host Jeff Dauler: "You could get a job for the school ...maybe the cafeteria's hiring."
Kim: "That’s embarrassing."
“I know they’re trying to teach me a lesson and blah blah blah and character building but, like, I hope they realize [working part-time] could have such a negative effect on my grades and as a person."
Here’s what’s most infuriating about Kim’s situation: Not only is she admitting that she had — and squandered — a $90,000 college fund that was supposed to cover her college expenses , but she completely lacks any remorse. She says she feels "stressed" but not once does she seem grateful for her good fortune or ashamed about blowing it in three short years.
Not surprisingly, The Bert Show’s hosts have a really hard time keeping it together during their conversation with Kim. We have to give major kudos to co-host Kristin Klingshirn who (despite the fact that she herself had to work three jobs to pay for college, she said) was the only one who did not completely give up on Kim’s ability to get it together. “I think you’re learning an even more valuable lesson than you could in any of your classes,” Klingshirn told her.
Eventually, it does seem as if Kim starts to get the message. Her parents refused to cosign a loan to cover her tuition shortfall unless she got a job. She called the show on Thursday to give her fourth and final update: She has come to grips with the fact that she will, indeed, have to get a job. We almost felt a bit sorry for her when she started explaining how difficult it has been to find a place that will hire her because she has no job history.
“I feel like I’m back at square one,” she said. “I’m hustling to do this and to make this work.”
Listening to this young woman slowly start to understand the value of abstract concepts like hard work and responsibility was as equally gratifying as it was boggling to the mind. All we have to say is this: “The Bert Show” deserves a special award for services to their country. Thanks to them, there may be one less 20-something out there giving millennials a bad rap.
Update: Given the rabid response I've gotten from readers on this story, I feel compelled to add some more context to Kim's situation. Yes, plenty of students juggle work and school to cover their tuition costs. In fact, three-quarters of college students work at least part-time throughout school to cover tuition costs, according to a forthcoming survey from student lender Sallie Mae. But simply telling a college student to "get a job" to cover their tuition is somewhat shortsighted.
Bad budgeting skills or not, college students are matriculating at a time when it has never been more expensive to get a college degree. Yes, students can cope with this cost by applying for scholarships, low-interest federal student loans or work-study programs on campus. But even that might not be enough.
Working 20 hours a week at a part-time job at today’s federal minimum wage rate ($7.25), it would take the average college student more than five years to pay off the average net tuition cost at a public-four year university ($36,000). And that doesn’t include expenses like housing, transportation and food. At the same time, household wages have fallen flat and fixed costs like housing and health care are rising exponentially. What Kim has unfortunately realized is that kids who don't have plush college funds typically have only way to cover college costs and that is student debt. And that is how our country has found itself with a $1 trillion student debt crisis on its hands. More than one-quarter of today’s 38 million student debtors are strapped with $50,000 or more in student loan debt and the average graduate carries nearly $30,000.
And there's no GIF clever enough in the world to make that an easier pill to swallow.
Originally posted by whodeyAn unfortunate situation, to be sure. I think America needs to explore how universities in other countries can consistently offer a college education to their citizens at little or no cost, while American universities continue to raise tuition rates far beyond what most students can hope to pay. America also needs to explore how other countries can spend less money per student at the K-12 level, yet turn out better educated people, and start moving in that direction. Clearly our education dollars are not being spent wisely. This young lady should have planned things better alright, but this looks like a symptom of a larger problem.
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/a-college-student-blows-inheritance-bert-show-205833329.html
Atlanta radio show “The Bert Show” had a guest on this week who has managed to incite the rage of just about every millennial in the state of Georgia (and beyond, the show is syndicated in 11 states).
The woman, a 22-year-old college junior named Kim, who ...[text shortened]... 0,000.
And there's no GIF clever enough in the world to make that an easier pill to swallow.
Originally posted by whodeyso what is your point?
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/a-college-student-blows-inheritance-bert-show-205833329.html
Atlanta radio show “The Bert Show” had a guest on this week who has managed to incite the rage of just about every millennial in the state of Georgia (and beyond, the show is syndicated in 11 states).
The woman, a 22-year-old college junior named Kim, who ...[text shortened]... 0,000.
And there's no GIF clever enough in the world to make that an easier pill to swallow.
college tuition shouldn't be free?
it is acceptable to get out of college with crippling debt?
if she were more thoughtful she should have saved that money and give it all to an university? that is the best you can think of? or maybe a country where people with that kind of money can have the freedom to spend it on anything they want.
common, make your attack on bernie already, don't leave us in suspense. it's obvious it is coming.
Originally posted by bill718Do you really think kids are learning much worth while in college? This girl is only a year away from graduating but still seems clueless.
An unfortunate situation, to be sure. I think America needs to explore how universities in other countries can consistently offer a college education to their citizens at little or no cost, while American universities continue to raise tuition rates far beyond what most students can hope to pay. America also needs to explore how other countries can spend les ...[text shortened]... dy should have planned things better alright, but this looks like a symptom of a larger problem.
Perhaps we need to further investigate what they are leaning in public school and in college.
College seems to be more of a way to segregate the poor from the rich in that rich folk can afford rich colleges and so get higher paying jobs. It has little to nothing to do with how well they are prepared for the said jobs.
Originally posted by ZahlanziShould I pay for this child's education, especially since it does not seem to be educating her?
so what is your point?
college tuition shouldn't be free?
it is acceptable to get out of college with crippling debt?
if she were more thoughtful she should have saved that money and give it all to an university? that is the best you can think of? or maybe a country where people with that kind of money can have the freedom to spend it on anything ...[text shortened]... mmon, make your attack on bernie already, don't leave us in suspense. it's obvious it is coming.
It has little to nothing to do with how well they are prepared for the said jobs.
I would challenge that! Would you want to get a lifesaving operation from someone that was not a med school grad? Would you want someone representing you in a complex legal proceeding that was not a law school grad? Would you feel comfortable driving over a bridge high above deep ravine designed by someone who was not trained in engineering? Would you spend your hard earned $$ on a computer programed by a garbage man? And the list goes on....... I would argue that formal education has a very great impact on one's fitness "for the said jobs"
Originally posted by whodeyYou seem to be assuming this one misguided girl is representative of the majority of people her age in the U.S. Quite similar to those who think if there is one person found cheating on welfare benefits, they represent the vast majority. Do we say all doctors are scum because a few have been rightfully sued or even jailed? I think not.
Should I pay for this child's education, especially since it does not seem to be educating her?
Unfortunately, U.S. culture is very anti intellectual and anti higher education and education in general, as opposed to training. The right wingers would like everyone to be a plumber or welder and let those with wealthy parents get an MBA or degrees in the hard sciences.The very word "intellectual" is a pejorative term to many in the U.S. It was used against Obama. He was a professor specializing in constitutional law yet right wingers accuse him of not understanding the Constitution.
We spend more on defense than all other nations on the planet combined. I think we should be able to spend more on education from kindergarten on through graduate school so we once again can brag that we have the most educated population on the planet. A highly educated and skilled population will do more to protect our country from economic decline than more military spending. Plus, the big military threat right now are poorly armed, by the standards of the U.S. arsenal, ISIS fighters. They have discovered they can easily rattle our cage and instill paralyzing fear into the hearts of Americans with very little effort. A country where someone like Trump can garner significant support is headed for doom.
Originally posted by bill718Most, if not all of your suggested "jobs", require a lot more than a 4 year college degree. Sure, we all want qualified people in those positions. Does our undergraduate college system even deliver enough people qualified for that advanced training?
It has little to nothing to do with how well they are prepared for the said jobs.
I would challenge that! Would you want to get a lifesaving operation from someone that was not a med school grad? Would you want someone representing you in a complex legal proceeding that was not a law school grad? Would you feel comfortable driving over a bridge high above ...[text shortened]... I would argue that formal education has a very great impact on one's fitness "for the said jobs"
Just reading, that the majority of engineering students in US colleges are Asian, and male. A huge majority of all undergraduates are in "soft" programs such as education.
I don't know when it happened, but I got through 2 years at a very difficult community college (everything there was transferable to UM), in my 40s while supporting a family., working a physically demanding job. At that time the younger students either didn't care enough to study, or were just not interested, going to school because it was expected of them.
I believe that we may be making college too easy for today's students, and they in turn take the easy way to graduate.
Originally posted by PhrannyUnfortunately, our universities are churning out lots of intellectuals, who are unqualified for anything but contemplating their navels. A bachelor's degree ought to qualify a graduate in at least being able to learn and think about detailed, challenging work, and it can if students challenge themselves in the process. Many just don't, taking the minimum load of the least challenging courses, and leave school without either technical skills, or the ability to learn them.
You seem to be assuming this one misguided girl is representative of the majority of people her age in the U.S. Quite similar to those who think if there is one person found cheating on welfare benefits, they represent the vast majority. Do we say all doctors are scum because a few have been rightfully sued or even jailed? I think not.
Unfortunately, ...[text shortened]... le effort. A country where someone like Trump can garner significant support is headed for doom.
Clearly, there are exceptions to all rules, but unfortunately the rule is that our colleges are either intentionally, or accidentally churning out dunderheads.
Originally posted by Phranny"A country where someone like Trump can garner significant support is headed for doom."
You seem to be assuming this one misguided girl is representative of the majority of people her age in the U.S. Quite similar to those who think if there is one person found cheating on welfare benefits, they represent the vast majority. Do we say all doctors are scum because a few have been rightfully sued or even jailed? I think not.
Unfortunately, ...[text shortened]... le effort. A country where someone like Trump can garner significant support is headed for doom.
dude, doom? last time i checked he has 22% of the republicans that bother with watching him and bother to answer a poll. it's hardly the time to pack rations and build apocalypse bunkers.
Originally posted by ZahlanziIt is hard to reduce the number of scumbags in a society to a minimum. Figures similar to Trump in Europe also gather significant support. Think Le Pen, Wilders, Farage, etc.
"A country where someone like Trump can garner significant support is headed for doom."
dude, doom? last time i checked he has 22% of the republicans that bother with watching him and bother to answer a poll. it's hardly the time to pack rations and build apocalypse bunkers.
Originally posted by KazetNagorraIt seems a pretty large chunk of Americans like Trump. Scumbag would apply more to Hillary Clinton than to him.
It is hard to reduce the number of scumbags in a society to a minimum. Figures similar to Trump in Europe also gather significant support. Think Le Pen, Wilders, Farage, etc.
Originally posted by normbenignToday universities are all about "safe zones" and controlling thought and speech.
Unfortunately, our universities are churning out lots of intellectuals, who are unqualified for anything but contemplating their navels. A bachelor's degree ought to qualify a graduate in at least being able to learn and think about detailed, challenging work, and it can if students challenge themselves in the process. Many just don't, taking the minim ...[text shortened]... he rule is that our colleges are either intentionally, or accidentally churning out dunderheads.
I'm waiting for the book burnings.