“The Father submits that Madison should be required to contribute $2,000 of her own earnings towards her education. He also points out that her student loan covered almost all of her educational costs. The Mother believes the Father should have to pay, irrespective of the student loan, as it would not have been necessary had he contributed.
It is well established that a child should contribute to their own education to the best of their ability. They do not have to contribute every cent they earn, but their earnings must be considered and balanced with the income of their parents: Lewi v. Lewi (2006), 2006 CanLII 15446 (ON CA), 80 O.R. (3d) 321 (C.A.), at paras. 39-42.
In addition, when determining the proper expense to be paid, the court is to consider any subsidies, benefits or income tax deductions or credits received: s. 7(3), Guidelines. A student loan is not considered a “benefit” within the meaning of s. 7(3) of the Guidelines: Roth v. Roth, 2010 ONSC 2532, at para. 16(e). The receipt of a student loan by a child will not always eliminate the obligations of a paying parent. The court must determine the reasonableness of taking such loans into account in the circumstances of each case: Coghill v. Coghill (2006), 2006 CanLII 28734 (ON SC), 30 R.F.L. (6th) 398, at para. 44; Roth, at para. 16.
Generally, the courts will only require a child to contribute to their education by taking out and assuming responsibility for student loans as a last resort, where the means of the child and those of the parents are insufficient to cover the child’s education and living expenses: Naveed v. Nasir, 2016 ONSC 7878, at para. 45.
Madison should be commended for her hard work and her contributions to her education. This skill will bode well for her in the future. Given her earnings, it is only reasonable that she contributes her share. The sum of $2,000, as suggested by the Father, is a reasonable contribution.”