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Abby, a medical school hopeful, called “The Ramsey Show” after discovering her mother intended to spend the family’s $400,000 college fund on a foreign exchange student rather than her.

The student said the 529 plan — which she believed was for her education — was controlled by her mother, who refused to share its balance and insisted Abby take on student loans for medical school.

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Financial expert Dave Ramsey and cohost John Delony reacted with disbelief as Abby said that her mother, who funded most of the account, wanted to redirect it toward the exchange student’s tuition.

Abby estimated the account held “over $400,000,” but said her mother wouldn’t give her an exact number.

Ramsey clarified that legally the account belonged to Abby’s mother, meaning she could use it as she pleased. Still, he questioned her decision, saying, “I don’t know on what planet she can’t help an exchange student and still have enough left for you to go to medical school out of $400,000.”

Delony added that it seemed the mother wanted her daughter to struggle through debt the same way she once did.

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Abby shared that she had already paid for her medical school applications, flights to interviews, rent, and other expenses on her own. Ramsey advised her to reconsider taking out loans if her mother refused support, calling such a move financially dangerous.

“You should not do this. I’m not going to tell you to go $250,000 in debt to be an MD — not in the current medical climate,” he said.

Delony agreed and urged Abby to have an honest conversation with her mother, saying the real issue wasn’t about the exchange student but the strained relationship between them. Both hosts suggested the mother’s behavior reflected something deeper than finances — possibly resentment or unresolved family tension.

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Ramsey said the situation went beyond parental discipline, accusing the mother of using “tough love” as a form of control rather than guidance. He argued that withholding funds from her daughter’s education was more harmful than helpful.