This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Bobby Kittleberger, a 37-year-old father and business owner in Staunton, Virginia. Business Insider has verified his income with documentation. The following has been edited for length and clarity.
I have six children between the ages of 5 and 11, and I’ve told them I won’t pay for college except in very limited circumstances.
I graduated with a computer science degree, but it’s irrelevant to my work.
I’m actively encouraging my kids to consider other options and how much ROI they’ll get from college.
For me to pay for their tuition, they’d need to pursue a career that actually requires higher education
I’ll pay for their tuition if they want to be something like a doctor or a lawyer. I’ll decide on a case-by-case basis. One of my daughters has expressed interest in being a veterinarian, which I’d want to support financially and otherwise.
If I paid for tuition, it would be a gift…