6 A
SIUSLAW NEWS ❚ WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2015
My intuition tells me our kids will be drowning in tuition
plans.”
Ned
Because of this, and
Hickson because our teenagers were
still staring blankly into space
with their mouths open, my
wife and I attended a scholar-
ship fair where local commu-
nity organizations were pro-
viding information about the
many scholarships they offer.
In addition, there were
three workshops discussing
everything from how to apply
for federal education grants,
to tips on interviewing and
properly filling out scholar-
ship applications.
It wasn’t long before, much
like our teenagers, my wife
and I were staring blankly
with our mouths open.
Here’s the problem. After
much consideration and
analysis, including a mathe-
matical formula involving
median income combined
with cost projections, annual
inflation predictions and an
old abacus I found at a garage
sale, I was able to determine
what I believe is the biggest
financial challenge facing stu-
dents and their families when
it comes to continuing their
education beyond high
school:
Colleges cost too danged
much.
As parents, my wife and I
have been very honest with
our three teenagers about the
level of financial support they
can expect from us for col-
lege. To do this, I used my
annual donation to our local
public broadcasting station as
an example.
“You know how they have
different levels of supporters?
And how the more money
you contribute, the nicer the
gift they send you as a show
of their appreciation for your
support — like a T-shirt or
really nice backpack? Or if
you’re a gold-level member
an entire season of your
favorite PBS show in a spe-
cial limited edition boxed set
on Blu-Ray?”
Our kids nodded.
“As a gift, we received a
refrigerator magnet for a
show that was canceled three
years ago.”
Blank stares from our kids.
“So yeah, the only free-ride
scholarship you’re going to
get from us will have already
been spent on food and your
unlimited texting and data
In fact, if I didn’t know
better I’d say colleges are
being run by pharmaceutical
companies — which would
make sense since, coinciden-
tally, most of the side effects
found on drug labels are the
same symptoms I felt while
researching annual tuition
costs: headache, chest pain,
shortness of breath, vision
loss, diarrhea, vomiting, para-
noia...
According to the American
College Board, the average
annual cost of tuition at a pri-
vate college is $32,405, or if
you’re looking for a real bar-
gain, $23,893 a year to attend
a public college from out of
state.
However, your best bet is
to enroll in a community col-
lege as an in-state resident,
where the average tuition is
$9,410.
Which, by the way, is still
$9,310 more than we’ll have
saved up for our oldest son’s
college fund. Fortunately,
there are lots of scholarships
for students who consistently
earn a 4.0 grade-point aver-
age.
Ours just don’t happen to
be any of them. They are
average students who excel in
subjects they are interested in.
Truth be told, they’re a lot
like their father.
Who, I should probably
mention, never went to col-
lege. It’s not that I’m advo-
cating against receiving a col-
lege education. I’m just say-
ing I’ve owned two homes
and done alright without one
because ultimately, with or
without a degree, what mat-
ters most is a drive to succeed
and willingness to work hard
for it.
No degree can guarantee
success over an individual's
desire to be successful.
Do I want my doctor to
have a medical degree?
You bet.
Should a lawyer be
required to have a law
degree?
Certainly.
Would I be OK with a doc-
tor without a medical degree
operating on the average
lawyer?
Most likely.
If our kids choose to attend
college, we’ll find a way to
make it happen. The question
is whether the rising cost of
higher education is making it
less valuable, especially when
compared to what can be
achieved with a high degree
of dedication and hard work
instead.
And the freedom to pursue
your life’s passions debt free.
Ned is a syndicated columnist with
News Media Corporation. His book,
“Humor at the Speed of Life,” is available
online at Port Hole Publications, Amazon
Books and Barnes & Noble. Write to him at
nededhickson@icloud.com
Let me Showcase your property.
Melody Beaudro
Principal Broker
541 991-2151
83316 N Pioneer Rd – Private, mid-century cot-
tage. Victorian bead ceilings, wainscoting, 4 sets
of French doors, Kirsch blinds, Kohler tub, and
much more on 1.2 acre, with decking, old growth
flooring, and Sonitrol alarm system. $175,000.
#2479-15396302
1749 Highway 101 • 541-997-1200
North Jetty Road open to
limited access next week
Starting Dec. 21 and con-
tinuing through Dec. 23,
North Jetty Road past Harbor
Vista County Campground
will have only limited access
due to road improvement
projects.
Expect delays and road
closures for the duration of
those dates.
It is advised to find alterna-
tive routes to beach access.
For more information, call
the Jessie M. Honeyman
Memorial State Park Office at
541-997-3851
FOLLOW US FOR THE LATEST NEWS
/S IUSLAW N EWS
❘
Please Help our Adopted Family
have a Wonderful Christmas!
Our family has a Dad, Mom,
Two Boys 4 and 6 and a 18 month old Girl.
Ideas are:
Clothes and Jackets (6T,5T boys) (18m girl) (Shoes 12,10 boys) (4 girl)
Educational toys, hot wheel cars, football, lava lamp, baseball, fi shing poles,
gloves, Disney DVD, board games, scooters, bean bags, color books, crayons,
large legos, socks, Christmas tree décor, wrapping supplies.
Please drop donations at:
PINK PARLOR 1379 Rhododendron Drive, Suite A
or BEAUTY BY DELIVERY DAY SPA at 508 Kingwood, Florence
Th ank You and Merry Christmas!
@S IUSLAW N EWS
IRUPHUO\3UXGHQWLDO3DFL¿F3URSHUWLHV
Same great brokers...
same excellent service.
What’s
happening
in your area?
Run a customized
Marke
Market Watch
report today!
FEATURED LISTING
Spectacular views of the Siuslaw
River
$250,000 BH7085 ML#15257774
JUST REDUCED
Spectacular home with amazing
Siltcoos Lake views. Rows of
windows to enjoy the views!
3 Bdrm, 2 Ba 1751 sq ft
$349,900 BH6758 ML#14075289
PRICE REDUCTION
In-town close to all services!
Remodeled, move in ready. Double
finished garage, RV parking 55” pad
water & electric. Private backyard
3 Bdrm, 2 Ba 1309 sq ft
$199,999 BH7090 ML#15596691
View active listings with our exclusive Market Watch
based on what is important to you.
• Search active listings by a geographic parameter such as a zip
code, address, or centered around a particular point on a map
• Easy-to-use interactive map with an adjustable radius
• Detailed color-coded summary of each property
FEATURED LISTING
River views, close to town
$250,000 BH7084 ML#15396381
FEATURED LISTING
Country Beautiful 5.48 ac fenced, 8+
horse stalls, arenas, 40 x 40 shop
plus garage/shop. Remodeled home
w/hickory cabinets, wood floors. Hot
tub overlooks pond
3-4 Bdrms, 2 Ba 2404 sq ft
$499,900 BH7086 ML#15676288
PRICE REDUCTION
Interior Shelter Cove gated
community lot. Stick built homes.34
acre, city services available. Priced
to sell!
$79,900 BH6136 ML#12164602
FEATURED LISTING
Enjoy gated community living…
delightful & fun singlewide with
addition. Front kitchen, party/family
room. RV/parking
3 Bdrm, 2 Ba 1675 sq ft
$78,000 BH7149 ML#15170659
FEATURED LISTING
Love a country setting? This home is
for you. Beautiful country setting just
minutes to town. Home has spacious
living room & country kitchen
3 Bdrm, 2 Ba 1563 sq ft
$299,000 BH7114 ML15380264
Visit our website at
www.RealEstateFlorence.com
and click the Market Watch
icon and start your search!
...or give us a call at 541-997-6000
and we’ll do the searching for you!
PRICE REDUCTION
Siuslaw riverfront retreat. Plenty of
room for RV’s, boats & parking
2 Bdrm, 2 Ba 2137 sq ft
$180,000 BH6705 ML#14119616
Florence Branch | 1875 Hwy 101 | Florence, OR | (541) 997-6000 | www.RealEstateFlorence.com
© 2014 BHH Affiliates, LLC. An independently operated subsidiary of HomeServices of America, Inc., a Berkshire Hathaway affiliate, and a franchisee of BHH Affiliates, LLC. Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices and the Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices symbol are registered service marks of HomeServices of America, Inc.® Equal Housing Opportunity.