{
  "id": 12450017,
  "title": "I had 5 kids headed to college. I took a demotion so they could go tuition-free.",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/06/i-had-5-kids-headed-to-college-i-took-a-demotion-so-they-could-go",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-10-06T19:25:03.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Business Insider",
    "slug": "business-insider",
    "url": "https://www.businessinsider.com/college-tuition-free-benefit-career-demotion-kids-2026-10"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Five children were heading to college at the same time when the author took on a new job. To make tuition affordable, she accepted a demotion, moving to a college that offered free tuition for employees and their children. Initially, the lower-paying job meant a significant salary cut and a loss of career momentum. However, the decision ultimately changed their futures, as the tuition benefit covered 17 years of college for their kids. The author earned her master's degree while working at the college and later moved into an assistant director of marketing role, which showed the true value of the tuition benefit. The author's decision was not without emotional turmoil, but she believes it gave her children more options, even if it meant sacrificing something no one else could see.",
  "summary": "I took a demotion so my 5 kids could go to college tuition free. It was hard not to feel like I was taking a step back, but it was worth it.",
  "key_points": [
    "Author had five children heading to college simultaneously",
    "Accepted demotion to a college offering free tuition",
    "Tuition benefit covered 17 years of college expenses"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}