Reply To: What is a Yeshiva Education Worth to You?

Ames, please realize that I am not against government programs to help people – I am against people not trying to do their best and accepting services that wouldnt be needed if they got a job. There is a MAJOR distinction.

But, I agree. No one should be paying for anything of mine. If I am on scholarship, I don’t think I should have cleaning help (barring extreme circumstances). And, if I go on scholarship, I would get rid of my gardener (probably one of the hardest things for me). I would also get rid of my cable TV ($30/month) but would need to keep my internet (my husband works from home sometimes and I am required to have access to my work). But do we really need a home phone line? Weboth have cell phones (on a family plan with my family so it costs $20/month for two of us) but I’m not sure…thats another $30/month…

Tzippi, I’m impressed you view it as a loan – most people I’ve spoken to don’t see it that way. I don’t know how many children you have, but would you see it differently if you had ten kids to put through school? If your school only charges $5,000, thats $50,000/year and then 12 years (at least) is $600,000 – is that something you could even think of repaying?? As for clothing, I agree – I think I spent $150 on clothing last year and that included new sneakers, and some work c lothes. I am not even sure I topped $100. BUt plenty of people spend that on one outfit.

Nobody, if you can technically afford to pay the tuition, should you ask for a reduction? My question was a little tongue in cheek – I don’t think most people would sacrifice a yeshiva education for anything nowadays.