<p>It seems to me that a parent has two valid roles: (1) Determining how much THE PARENT is willing to pay, and (2) Stopping a child from making a really dumb financial decision (i.e., huge loans). </p>
<p>Within those parameters, IMO, it should be the child’s decision. It’s the child’s life that’s going to be affected by where the child goes to college, not the parent’s; and if the child is mature enough to go off to college and handle college work, then he or she is mature enough to decide how to select a college. Will they make mistakes? Yes, but making mistakes and learning from them is part of life.</p>
<p>That doesn’t mean a parent can’t be involved in helping the child make the decision and making sure the child has considered all the appropriate questions. But the ultimate call should be the child’s; and once that call is made, the parent should do everything possible to help the child be successful.</p>