Giving Compass' Take:

• The author of this Business Insider article, Megan Nye, has decided not to pay for her son's college education not because she's a callous parent, but because she recognizes the heavily flawed financial system of higher education.

• Why are college tuitions so high and how can any family, especially those in lower-income brackets, afford it? It's worth examining through Nye's lens that there are other ways to approach such costs without devaluing higher ed in general.

• If you want to read more about how philanthropy can help make college more affordable, click here.

Let's get one thing straight: I am 100% pro-college.

If a college education helps you get to where you want to be professionally and if you can afford it, then you go ahead and earn that college degree! I spent six years in college and graduate school and benefitted hugely from both experiences. So I'd love to see my son succeed in higher education.

But the price tag for that education ... well, that's going to be on him. Here are four reasons I'm not paying for my kid's college costs:

  1. I'm making sure our family is financially healthy
  2. I'm supporting his pre-college education 100%
  3. I'm psyched to help him slash that tuition bill
  4. I'm giving him an invaluable financial education

Read more the cost of college by Megan Nye at Business Insider