| Sorry, but I can't see why there should be credit for tithing, or any contribution to an organization.
Let's say I am a passionate enviromentalist, and I give 10% of my income to a worthy enviromentalist organization, which I hope will benenfit my own well being, the future of my family, and the future of the world. This is a fine thing to do, with the best of motives, but it still a discretionary act - I choose to do this.
Should a college give me credit and reduce my required family contribution based on this action?
Now let's say I take that same 10% and instead contribute to some hate group, something like a neo-Nazi organization or the KKK. It's still discretionary, and let's say that I believe in the goals of the organization (I don't of course, I'm just trying to explain how complicated this is.)
Should the school give me credit for this charitable contribution?
The problem is that as soon as we ask the schools to start considering what is "good" discretionary spending vs "bad" discretionary spending, it gets very difficult. My list of favorite charities may be the Sierra Club and Greenpeace, the next person's a religious group, and the next person's the a local club for kids. How should the colleges know and track all of these? And do we really want them passing judgement on how worthy our contributions are?
For the most part, financial aid based on your obligations makes sense. I.e. you have an estimated cost of living, you have to pay your taxes, etc. etc. Any money left over that might be available for paying your child's tuition. It's up to you and your family how to allocate that. If your religious beliefs indicate that paying your tithe is your first obligation, then that is your choice, which you and your family can factor into decisions about college. |