Episode 86: The College Fee Trap — When a Parent Takes a Costly Loan to Fulfill a Child’s Overseas Dream
Series: Broken by Burden: Financial Survival Strategies for the Troubled Mind
Date: 03-Oct-2025
🎭 A Dream That Turned Into a Debt Spiral
Characters:
- Mohan Sharma (52): A lower-middle-class government clerk from Lucknow, who has spent his life sacrificing personal comfort for his only son’s future.
- Sunita Sharma (48): His wife, practical and nurturing, always worried about their financial limits.
- Rohit Sharma (21): Their only son, a bright student dreaming of studying in Canada for better opportunities.
- Mr. Saxena: A local loan agent who paints rosy pictures of easy education loans.
- Meena Verma: Mohan’s neighbor and friend, who warns him against overburdening himself.
- Mr. Kapur: A manipulative overseas education consultant, focused only on his commission.
🌳 The Background: A Father’s Pride
Mohan Sharma had always believed in education. For 20 years, he saved every bonus, avoided vacations, and even skipped buying a scooter, just to secure his son’s future.
Mohan (smiling to Sunita): “Rohit will study abroad. He’ll have a life we only dreamed of. I’ll do whatever it takes.”
When Rohit got admission to a mid-tier Canadian university, it felt like a miracle. The tuition fee, however, was ₹18 lakh for the first year — far beyond their savings.
💸 The Costly Loan
Mr. Kapur, the consultant, suggested a loan of ₹25 lakh, including living expenses.
Mr. Kapur (persuasive): “Sir, think of it as an investment. Once your son graduates, he’ll earn ₹40–50 lakh annually. These loans are nothing compared to that.”
Mohan (hesitant): “But the interest… and the EMI after graduation?”
Mr. Kapur: “Don’t worry, sir. Students start earning part-time as soon as they land. It’s easy.”
Sunita, however, wasn’t convinced.
Sunita: “Mohan, our salary is barely ₹60,000 a month. What if Rohit can’t pay back?”
Mohan (firmly): “Sunita, this is our chance. We can’t let money stop his dreams.”
Mohan mortgaged their 2BHK home to secure the education loan.
🌎 The Overseas Struggle
Rohit left for Canada with stars in his eyes. But reality was harsher than promised.
- His part-time job barely covered food and rent, not enough for tuition.
- Currency fluctuations increased the financial burden.
- Cultural adjustments and isolation led to mental health struggles.
One evening, Rohit called home.
Rohit (voice low): “Papa, I’m trying… but I can’t manage my tuition and living costs. I need ₹5 lakh more this semester.”
Mohan (forcing calm): “Beta, don’t worry. I’ll arrange it.”
But arranging meant taking another personal loan at 12% interest.
⚠️ The Breaking Point
Six months later, Mohan’s health began to falter under the stress. He skipped medical check-ups to save money. Sunita grew increasingly worried.
Sunita (angry and teary): “Mohan, you’re killing yourself. We’ll lose the house if we can’t pay these EMIs.”
Mohan (voice trembling): “What should I do, Sunita? Tell our son to come back and give up everything?”
🗣 The Family Call
One Sunday evening, Rohit had a long video call with his parents. His eyes were sunken.
Rohit (teary): “Papa, I don’t want you to suffer like this. I can drop out and come back…”
Mohan (holding back tears): “No, beta. You’ll complete this. I’ll manage somehow. A father’s job is to build the road, even if it breaks his own feet.”
Sunita: “Enough! Dreams should not break families. Rohit, if this is hurting all of us, we need to rethink. Degrees aren’t worth losing our home.”
💔 The Aftermath
After much discussion, Rohit transferred to a smaller college in India to finish his degree, abandoning the overseas dream halfway. Mohan had to sell part of his ancestral land to pay off ₹15 lakh of the loan to avoid losing their home.
🧠 Character Psychology
- Mohan: Represents millions of parents who believe “no cost is too high for their child’s dream,” often underestimating financial reality.
- Sunita: The practical anchor, yet torn between supporting her son and protecting her family’s survival.
- Rohit: Not ungrateful, but crushed by the guilt of his parents’ sacrifices.
- The Consultant (Mr. Kapur): Symbol of an education industry that profits from selling dreams without warning of the real struggles.
💡 What This Story Teaches Us
- Education abroad isn’t always a golden ticket. Understand ROI (Return on Investment) before taking huge loans.
- Mortgaging homes for overseas studies is extremely risky. It can destabilize the entire family.
- Parents must talk openly with children about financial capacity. Pride often silences reality.
- Consider scholarships or state universities. Not all success stories require an international degree.
💸 The Financial Burden
- Loan Amount: ₹25 lakh
- Interest Paid (in 2 years): ₹3.5 lakh
- Land Sold: Worth ₹15 lakh
- EMI Left: ₹9,800/month for the next 5 years.
🌱 Where They Are Now
Rohit completed his degree in India and now works for a tech startup, contributing ₹10,000/month to repay his father’s loan. Mohan often says:
“Dreams are good, beta. But never let a dream cost you your family’s peace.”
Episode 87: The Price of Blood — When Siblings Turn Strangers Over Inheritance
In the next episode, an ancestral home that once united a family becomes the center of a bitter legal battle. Siblings, once inseparable, turn into strangers as greed, legal manipulation, and misunderstandings destroy both relationships and wealth.
⚠️ Disclaimer:
This episode is fictionalized but inspired by real financial struggles families face while funding overseas education. Always consult financial planners and explore scholarships before committing to huge loans.
Finance World 
Leave a comment