Should parents be forced to pay for tuition?

Khaos: I am not sure if FAFSA applies to private high schools. So it wouldn't be applicable in this case at all.

In the scenario you mentioned, it would be alright for them to sue for damages. But the question is whether they will win or not. I don't think so unless they were able to show that the parents physically stopped their child from receiving aid. Otherwise the child, if over the age of 18 is liable to get the aid.

Tophatdoc: Would this be different if it were a public high school? Forgive my ignorance of US law.

Tophatdoc: The issue as I understood it was the financial support went away from both the high school AND the college, which she was already accepted.
It could be argued that her school's admission is denied due to her not graduating from her current school. (Are colleges that fickle?), thus there are real damages in her not completing her private education. Obviously, there is nothing stopping her from attending public school her final year.

So, assuming the issue is she was accepted and wants to go to school X, but without her parents' support, she cannot afford it or qualify for loans, it is unethical (IMO) to screw your child like that, but I will withhold judgement as I don't know all the factors.
Similarly, it is a jerk thing to do to withhold financial support for schooling even after attending, but should not be liable for the tuition payments. Only the support that could be otherwise obtained. Assuming FAFSA didn't apply, then there is no legal standing, IMO.

I already said I don't think FAFSA was the issue here, but an aspect to consider in the larger discussion.

admin: FAFSA only applies to colleges. I should of explained this when I originally posted. Keep in mind FAFSA is considered a loan so it wouldn't be given to a high school student. When the loan is taken out, students are held liable to pay back the loan.

Khaos: True, there is nothing stopping her from going to public high school.

It appears you have different ethical standards at least in this case then. It is ethical in my opinion for the parents to screw over their ADULT children if they wish. Their house is their castle is my philosophy unless they are minors. In court she would be seen as an adult as she was seen in this case. Just as when a parent has their adult child forcibly removed from their home for whatever reason. She is no longer a minor so her parents are not liable for her actions(or lack of) nor are they responsible for her well being.

This case being heard is exclusively the result of modern society. A century ago and centuries before in majority of societies in the world, no one would of taken her case seriously or garnered any sympathy and would of sided with the parents without hesitation.

Tophatdoc: Ethical may be the wrong word, but it leaves a bad taste if parents were to do this.

I want to stress though, and my reason for bringing FAFSA into the discussion, is that if parents do not report their earnings, the child cannot get federal assistance, which generally precludes private assistance. The FAFSA would be incomplete, and harm the teen.
I believe this is a damage, if the teen would otherwise qualify for aid/loans.

It is not the same as not paying for college, but a tangential issue.

Tophatdoc: Ethical may be the wrong word, but it leaves a bad taste if parents were to do this.

I want to stress though, and my reason for bringing FAFSA into the discussion, is that if parents do not report their earnings, the child cannot get federal assistance, which generally precludes private assistance. The FAFSA would be incomplete, and harm the teen.
I believe this is a damage, if the teen would otherwise qualify for aid/loans.

It is not the same as not paying for college, but a tangential issue.

Khaos: I think that would be a different scenario altogether. I see what you are getting at though.

Tophatdoc: I think we should ban Tophatdoc.

Pinkie: Why? You thought wrong. I am an associate of the admin.

Tophatdoc: Because you're on too much and keep posting in my forums. -_-

Pinkie: Thanks for the compliment. I now know I need to post more.

Pinkie: I disagree and would like to encourage Rebekah to stop trying to get the last post on everything.

admin: Oh. Why?

Pinkie: Because otherwise it looks like it's just you on the forums

admin: Oh. But it pretty much is just me in the forums...

Pinkie: No it's not. I make plenty of posts here. You just comment something meaningless right at the end.

admin: True and then everyone leaves because they have nothing to add.

Pinkie: Which isn't fair because you aren't alone in the forums

admin: True. Okay, I'm gonna stay out of the forms and off edeb8 til my next debate argument is due. Sound good?