Spinoff to college loans: How many of you give money BACK to the colleges and universities that you have been to?

Every once in a while, I get notice in the mail that ask for donations to my college(Syracuse University), which back in 1988 (when I started) was already one of the expensive ones at 16K a year (Room and board and tuition). Now it costs $29,965 for tuition and $10,420 for room and board.

I am having a really hard time wondering why they need a handout from me. I was fortunate to have been a graduate from one of their best colleges (Newhouse School of Public Communications) but unlike that college's many famous graduates, I cannot afford to donate a mere pittance of $1000 (the minimum suggested) to support the new building at the university I called my alma mater.

I am curious to know how many of you still support the colleges you went to.

Message edited 4/9/2007 6:31:25 PM.

Re: Spinoff to college loans: How many of you give money BACK to the colleges and universities that you have been too?

I get those all the time from my college as well. No thank you, I will be paying back what I gave you for the rest of my life, you don't need more of my money.

Re: Spinoff to college loans: How many of you give money BACK to the colleges and universities that you have been too?

Re: Spinoff to college loans: How many of you give money BACK to the colleges and universities that you have been too?

I didn't graduate from NYU but I do donate to the math department. I had a really great experience there.

Re: Spinoff to college loans: How many of you give money BACK to the colleges and universities that you have been too?

No, I don't and it seems they never stop asking.

Re: Spinoff to college loans: How many of you give money BACK to the colleges and universities that you have been too?

I donate once a year.

Re: Spinoff to college loans: How many of you give money BACK to the colleges and universities that you have been too?

Personally, I used to love when they would call me right after graduation asking for donations. Iused to tell them "If I am living at the same address I lived at when I started college, what makes you think I can afford to give you anything right now?"

Re: Spinoff to college loans: How many of you give money BACK to the colleges and universities that you have been too?

DH and I went to Manhattan College (private college) and we both give back money. There are a few reasons why I give back and why it is important to me to give back.

The main reason I give back is that I received a very generous academic and athletic scholarship. I hope that by giving back money, I am helping to give the opportunity to other students to go there.

I had a great experience at college and I am a proud alumni. I like giving back to the school. DH and I have also been trying to get involved in more alumni events.

Re: Spinoff to college loans: How many of you give money BACK to the colleges and universities that you have been too?

I give a very small amount. Part of the issue is that US News and World Report takes into account the percent of alumni who donate when making their rankings, so my school (an ivy) asks for any small donation to help the percentage goal. I would be offended and would never donate if I was asked for $1000! I give like $25 a year, and I get my alumni magazine subscription free from donating the $25. I never feel bothered by them to donate. I would never give to my master's or doctoral institutions though...I just don't feel so connected since I was older and less involved..

ETA: At my undergrad. college you can specify where you want the funds to go, so I always choose something that I loved about the school---for me, the small animal clinics that do free work or the lab of ornithology.

Message edited 4/9/2007 10:56:46 AM.

Re: Spinoff to college loans: How many of you give money BACK to the colleges and universities that you have been too?

I too receive this a few times a year. I am going to be paying my loans back until I am well into my 40s. There is no way I am going to give back $1 to my school!

Re: Spinoff to college loans: How many of you give money BACK to the colleges and universities that you have been too?

This is how I feel: until I have my loans paid off or until I make enough money where I feel comfortable paying loans off and making a contribution to them - I'm not making a contribution.

WhenI started college I had no scholarships and tuition was $24k, when I was a senior, it was just $30k.Now it is a little over $40k. IMO they should stop giving so much in aid and just make it less expensive for everyone.

Re: Spinoff to college loans: How many of you give money BACK to the colleges and universities that you have been too?

DH and I went to college together and made the mistake of donating like $20. Now they call us every freaking day for another handout.

Re: Spinoff to college loans: How many of you give money BACK to the colleges and universities that you have been too?

I get letters from my undergrad and graduate school looking for donations all the time.

I do not send them anything.

I'm still paying my student loans, and by the time I finish, my own children will be starting college, so don't have any need or desire to lay out more money for someone else's education.

Re: Spinoff to college loans: How many of you give money BACK to the colleges and universities that you have been too?

We both donate to our undergrad schools.

There was a major overhaul - for the worse IMO - of my grad school program when I was more than 3/4 of the way done, so I didn't switch schools, but I won't support them either. They really ruined the reputation of the program and have made it difficult for many of the grads to advance in our field.

Re: Spinoff to college loans: How many of you give money BACK to the colleges and universities that you have been too?

The only money I give is my student loan payment...

The only money I would ever donate back to my college or high school would be if it was going directly to a student scholarship to help someone...

Re: Spinoff to college loans: How many of you give money BACK to the colleges and universities that you have been too?

Yes, in particular the Corps of Cadets program at Texas A&M. DH also sends $ to his school, USMMA.

Re: Spinoff to college loans: How many of you give money BACK to the colleges and universities that you have been too?

Re: Spinoff to college loans: How many of you give money BACK to the colleges and universities that you have been too?

I don't donate and I never will.

Re: Spinoff to college loans: How many of you give money BACK to the colleges and universities that you have been too?

I get a lot of letters from my college asking for donations... they go right in the garbage.

Re: Spinoff to college loans: How many of you give money BACK to the colleges and universities that you have been too?

One time when I first graduated...and thats it. Now I feel like they harrass me! At Marist they have students calling and some have gotten nasty

Re: Spinoff to college loans: How many of you give money BACK to the colleges and universities that you have been too?

I do but not alot.

Re: Spinoff to college loans: How many of you give money BACK to the colleges and universities that you have been too?

DH and i donated to our undergrads for the first time this year.
we didnt give a lot, but it was something.
DH graduated from undergrad in 99 and i graduated in 01

Re: Spinoff to college loans: How many of you give money BACK to the colleges and universities that you have been too?

I went to 3 schools. One I plan on donating to when I can because I had a full academic scholarship and the $$ alumni give allows others to have the same scholarship.

One school I have given to during my reunion year, and may or may not donate in the future.

One school will never see another dime from me. The program I went through was terrible, and I think they already got more than they should have from my tuition payments.

Re: Spinoff to college loans: How many of you give money BACK to the colleges and universities that you have been too?

I donate to my undergrad. I basically went for free because of generous alums...I wish I could give more.

Re: Spinoff to college loans: How many of you give money BACK to the colleges and universities that you have been too?

I'm still paying them for MY education. Maybe I will consider giving when I am done with that.