Kristina Ellis

There's a lot of parents in that situation, but I would just prepare yourself for a difficult conversation, a level setting conversation.

And you may even need to apologize and say,

We should have had this conversation sooner.

I'm really sorry.

I didn't do well with money.

That's why we're in debt and we've got to go back and clean up our mess.

And with that, we don't have money to pay for your college.

And so you may not be able to go to that four-year private school that you've been dreaming about.

You may need to go to community college first for two years.

You may need to go to a tuition assistance program.

I mean, there just may need to be some adjustments, unfortunately, just given where you are in the process.

And it's a hard conversation.

It is hard.

But, you know, I'm proud of you for asking the question.

And if you're willing to pivot now, there are all sorts of options.

You know, there's obviously changing schools.

But if she's a bright student, perhaps she can get scholarships.

Perhaps you can empower her to figure out, you know, how she can qualify.

Maybe she can get a full ride to a different school.

But I would definitely, you know, put the onus on her and try to empower her to figure out how to pay for her education.