JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- A new study says college students who don't have to pay for their own education may not be earning the highest grades.
"I think it's something that we should pay attention to," said UNF Dean of Undergraduate Studies Jeff Coker.
It's a national study in this month's edition of American Sociological Review and it says students who's schooling is paid for by mom and dad are earning lower grades.
Action News took that study to Coker, who says there is some truth to that.
"If you extrapolate from this that students who are funding their way through college that they're a little more invested and have that sense of ownership then there may be some validity to the study," he said.
Junior Jasmine Morales is putting herself through school and thinks college kids like her take their education more seriously.
"Because that money's hurting your pockets. For someone who is a college student who has their parents pay for it, that's hurting their parents' pockets. They could care less," she said.
Even Freshman Skyler Reese, whose parents pay his way, tends to agree.
"If I was paying for my own classes, I would be busting my [expletive] a lot more," he said.
But Coker is cautioning parents not to read too much into this study. The research also shows there's no impact on graduation rates.
"Sure we want students to make good grades, but we certainly want them to graduate first and foremost," Coker said.
The study adds parents who pay their kids way can get more bang for their buck by setting clear expectations about their grades.
