Woman Says She Refuses to Let Cousin Use Leftover College Fund Money

A woman says she doesn’t want to share her leftover college fund with her younger cousin, a decision that has made a few family members upset.

In a post on Reddit’s AITA (or AmITheA——), the 24-year-old woman wrote that she graduated from college two years ago, “thanks in large part” to a college fund from her parents. “I feel incredibly fortunate for that, and I worked hard to make the most of it by getting good grades and finishing on time,” she wrote.

She went on to explain that her younger cousin, 20, “dropped out of college last year after failing a few courses, but is “planning to go back.”

However, the Reddit explained that her cousin “used up a good chunk of her own college fund during her first attempt.”

“Recently, my aunt and uncle (her parents) came to me and asked if I’d be willing to give my cousin what’s left of my college fund to help her go back,” the woman wrote, noting that she does still have a “decent amount” because she ended up getting a scholarship her final year.

But, the woman said that she “told them that I wasn’t comfortable doing that.’

The Redditor went on to explain that she’s been saving that leftover money for other possible future expenses, including graduate school “or maybe to put towards a house one day.” 

“I don’t feel like it’s my responsibility to give it up just because she didn’t finish school the first time,” she added.

“Now, my cousin and her parents are upset with me,” she wrote. “My cousin says she ‘needs it more’ and that I’m being selfish for not helping her out when I had my entire education paid for.” 

“My aunt and uncle think I should give her the money because ‘it’s just sitting there,’ and they don’t want her to take out loans,” she added. “I get that student loans are tough, but I worked hard for my degree and saved that money for my future. I don’t think I should be guilted into giving it up.”

Several users shared their thoughts on the matter, with the top replies all declaring she was not in the wrong.

“That’s her and her parents’ responsibility, not yours. You’ve legitimate reasons for saving the money, grad school, etc, and shouldn’t be guilted into it,” wrote one commenter. “What do your parents have to say about this as well???”

Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

“My parents are surprisingly neutral on this, saying it’s ‘my decision,’ but I can tell they feel bad for my cousin,” the original poster wrote. “Still, I don’t think it’s my responsibility to fix her situation.”

Meanwhile, another reply suggested a way she might be able to circumvent any additional arguments. “If the account isn’t just in your name, make sure whoever else is on it knows you said no, You don’t even have to give a reason,” the commenter wrote. “Better yet if you can, transfer it to your own savings.”