Contribution by a parent for the post-high school educational expense is dependent upon the ability of the parents to contribute, the desire and ability of the child or children to succeed in their educational and vocational pursuits, and a number of other factors. Generally speaking, if the parents have the income or credit and the child had the desire and ability, the Court will compel the parents to contribute, many times in proportion to the parents’ income. It is obvious that the goal is to create the opportunity for children to become well-educated, advance their careers and vocations and become self-supporting. The obligation can continue throughout the outer bounds of the educational spectrum. For example, professional parents create an expectation that their children will become professionals and therefore, give rise to an obligation to pay for post-college degrees. Many Judges ask the question whether the parents would have contributed toward the advanced educational needs of children had the marriage remained intact.
There are expectations to the general rule that parents contribute to a child’s education. These are made on a case-by-case basis and state laws vary but most of these are in place in all states. Check with your local laws and/or with your attorney if you have one. As an example:

1) Whether the parent is still living with the child would have contributed to the cost of the
requested higher education
2) The effect of the background, values and goals of the parent and the reasonableness of the
expectation of the child for higher education
3) The amount of the contributions sought by the child for the cost of the higher education;
4) The ability of the parent to pay the cost;
5) The relationship of the requested contribution to the kind of school and course of study sought by
the child
6) The financial resource of both parties;
7) Commitment to and the aptitude of the child for the requested education;
The financial resources of the child, including assets owned individually or held in custodianship
or trust
9) The ability of the child to earn income during the school year or on vacation;
10) The availability of financial aid in the form of college grants and loans;
11) The child’s relationship to the paying parent, including mutual affection and shared goals, as well
as responsiveness to parental guidance and advice
12) The relationship of the education requested to any prior training of the overall long-range goals
of the child