Updated: May 27, 2026
College costs are climbing fast, and for many Catholic parents, the numbers can feel overwhelming. Tuition is only one part of the equation. Once you add room and board, books, travel, living expenses, and all the smaller costs that come with sending a child to college, the total can feel almost impossible to plan for.
In this special episode, Jonathan Teixeira joins John Morales on Relevant Radio’s Morning Air to talk about how families can prepare for higher education without drowning in debt. The conversation is practical, honest, and rooted in prudence: parents want to help their children pursue their future, but that does not mean they should sacrifice their own financial stability or take on burdens they cannot carry.
The good news is that families have more options than they may realize. With careful planning, honest conversations, and a willingness to look beyond the “dream school” narrative, Catholic parents can help their children pursue college wisely and peacefully.
The Real Cost of College Is More Than Tuition
When families first start looking at college costs, they often focus on tuition. But tuition alone does not tell the whole story.
The real cost of college can include:
- Room and board
- Books and supplies
- Travel expenses
- Meal plans
- Transportation
- Technology
- Activity fees
- Personal living expenses
If a student attends school far from home, travel can become a major added expense. Flights, hotels, gas, and family visits may not show up in the official college estimate, but they still affect the family budget.
Jonathan explained that families need to look beyond the sticker price and think about the full cost of the college experience. A school that looks affordable on paper may become much more expensive once the hidden costs are included.
Is College the Right Fit?
College can be a beautiful and formative experience. It can provide education, human formation, friendships, and even a deeper encounter with faith. Jonathan shared that his own college experience helped him re-encounter his Catholic faith through the Newman Center.
At the same time, college is not automatically the right path for every student, and not every college is worth the cost.
Some students may benefit from:
- Starting at a community college
- Attending an in-state university
- Exploring trade programs
- Taking time to clarify their career direction
- Comparing schools based on value, not prestige alone
This does not mean parents should discourage college. It means families should ask better questions.
What does this student actually want to study? What opportunities does this school provide? Is the cost reasonable compared to the likely outcome? Could the same degree or career path be pursued through a more affordable option?
These are not fearful questions. They are prudent ones.
Do Not Skip the FAFSA
One of the biggest mistakes families make is skipping the FAFSA because they assume they earn too much money to qualify for aid.
Jonathan’s advice is simple: fill it out anyway.
Families do not receive aid they never ask for. Some financial aid options are need-based, but others may be tied to the school, the student’s situation, or available grants. Jonathan pointed out that billions of dollars in Pell Grants have gone unclaimed because students did not complete the application.
The FAFSA may feel like tedious paperwork, but it can open the door to grants and other forms of financial aid that do not have to be repaid.
For families trying to avoid student loan debt, that matters.
Scholarships Are Not Just for Athletes and Straight-A Students
Many families assume scholarships are only for students with perfect grades or exceptional athletic talent. That is not true.
Jonathan emphasized that many scholarships come from local organizations, churches, community groups, and foundations that simply want to help students afford school. Some awards may be smaller, but those smaller scholarships can add up.
Students should treat scholarship applications like a part-time job.
If a student spends several hours applying for scholarships and wins even one $2,000 award, that effort may pay far more than a typical summer job. The key is consistency. Students may not win every scholarship they apply for, but the potential return is worth the effort.
Scholarships can also be pursued earlier and longer than many families realize. Students do not necessarily have to wait until senior year of high school, and in many cases, they can continue applying throughout college.
Parents Should Not Wreck Their Finances to Pay for College
This is where Catholic financial wisdom matters.
Parents naturally want to help their children. That desire is good. But helping a child does not mean taking on debt irresponsibly, draining retirement savings, or ignoring the family’s financial reality.
Jonathan reminded parents that they need to have their own finances in order first. If parents cannot pay for college, or cannot pay for all of it, that does not mean they have failed.
There are other ways to help.
Parents can guide their children through the decision-making process. They can help compare options, evaluate costs, search for scholarships, complete the FAFSA, think through career goals, and understand the long-term consequences of debt.
That kind of guidance is valuable. In many cases, it may be more valuable than simply writing a check.
Catholic College Planning Requires Prudence
Prudence is not panic. It is also not passivity.
A prudent family does not ignore the cost of college and hope everything works out. A prudent family also does not assume the most expensive option is automatically the best one.
Instead, Catholic parents can approach college planning with clear eyes and open conversations.
That may mean saying:
- “We can help with this amount, but not more.”
- “Let’s compare the total cost of each school.”
- “Let’s apply for scholarships every week.”
- “Let’s fill out the FAFSA and see what options are available.”
- “Let’s consider whether community college or an in-state school makes sense.”
- “Let’s talk about what kind of debt would be reasonable, if any.”
These conversations may feel uncomfortable, but they are part of forming young adults who can make wise financial decisions.
You Can Help Your Child Without Going Broke
Parents do not need to fear the college process. They need a plan.
College may still be expensive, but families are not powerless. By looking at the full cost, exploring affordable options, applying for aid, pursuing scholarships, and refusing to sacrifice long-term financial stability, parents can support their children with wisdom and peace.
Sending a child to college should not create a lifelong financial burden for the student or the parents. With the right approach, families can make thoughtful decisions that honor both the child’s future and the family’s financial health.
For more help bringing peace and clarity to your family’s finances, check out WalletWin Academy at walletwin.com/academy.
This article is based on Jonathan Teixeira’s interview with John Morales on Relevant Radio’s Morning Air.
