In a post to Reddit, a 17-year-old writes:
I have three older siblings. My parents covered their college tuition in full and then covered law and medical school for two of them as well (the other sibling didn’t go to grad school). They also gave them a stipend to cover living expenses.
I talked to my parents about college and what help I can expect and surprisingly they told me there won’t be any help because they don’t have money left after they’ve paid for my siblings.
It’s a raw deal, kid. But lots of folks don’t get any assistance with college from their parents – not because they don’t want to, but because they can’t. From their explanation, adoptive mom and pop clearly have not felt the same degree of responsibility to you as to their biological children. Regardless, take their word that they are financially incapable and move on.
Look forward, don’t spend another minute thinking about them, and put yourself through college however you can. And when adoptive mom and dad are old and sick and want your help: you don’t have to feel the same degree of responsibility for them as their biological children should. Just tell them sorry, you don’t have the money for it.