Requirements for child support during college

In Missouri, parents who are paying child support can be ordered to help pay college expenses until the child reaches the age of 21. However, kids have to meet these requirements in order to maintain eligibility for college assistance from your parents:

1. You have to be enrolled for at least 12 credit hours (Nine credit hours if you work an average of 15 hours a week.)

2. You have to send both of your parents an official copy of your enrollment information at the first of the each semester and of your grades at the end of each semester.

Parental support can stop if:

1. You fail at least half of your classes in one semester;

2. You don't send your parents proof of your enrollment or proof of your grades each semester;

3. You drop classes so that you are not enrolled for enough hours for the semester; or

4. You take off for a semester -- whether that is for the first semester when you would normally start college or for later semester.

If you don't give your parents a copy of your grades and they ask for one, you have 30 days from when the school gives you the grades to get them to your parents. If you don't do that, after 30 days you can lose your eligibility for continued parental support.