As a parent of a recent college grad and a HS senior getting ready to trek off to college I would not pay for college for one of my kids if they waited 8 years.  One gap year, okay so that is fine.  But 8 years.  My wife and I are looking forward to eventual retirement and want some control over our bank account.  Eight years would put college payments solidly into my retirement years.<p>So from a practical standpoint cash flow is a consideration.  From a dependency standpoint isn&#x27;t eight years long enough for you to mature beyond financial and emotional dependency?