My oldest is self sufficient for the most part now. Like I said, I volunteered to pay for the car repair because I knew the valve cover was leaking but never got around to getting it fixed so I felt like I should pay for it.
The youngest just started her second year of college and is talking about getting a job. She struggles a little more than our oldest keeping her grades up and she is on a scholarship so to me it's more important that she keep her grades up to keep the scholarship than to get some part time job and make $80-100 a week working. We saved college money for both kids since close to the time they were born. We didn't end up with enough to pay for 4 years but the oldest ended up with 12k in loans and the youngest will end up with some too. The loans are their responsibility to pay back. I figure that 12k isn't bad considering a four year degree is around 80k plus books and misc. expenses. It can be done a little cheaper if they don't stay in the dorm and live in an apartment with roommates. The youngest is in an apartment now but the rent is $480 plus groceries and stuff. She is going to find something a little less expensive next year but I don't want her to have to drive too far in the winter to get to campus. The room and board at her college was crazy in my opinion so we are actually saving money by her living in the apartment.
I applaud you, and I think your girls are lucky to have such a fantastic father, and I really mean that.
I went to college in 92 in Miami. College classes at the time were 90 dollars per credit, so a 3 credit class would run me about $270 a semester. I worked, received VA benefits from my father of about $450 per month, and along with pell grants, etc.. I was able to walk out of college without any debt. I generally took 3 class per semester so it would run me about $1600 per semester after books and tuition fees.
My middle daughter is going to the same school now. Cost per credit last year was $403. So a 3 credit class runs her a little over $1200 per semester. $3700 for 3 classes, and no book costs included. If you include books it can be over $4200 per semester.
My oldest graduated from USF in 2014. The cost there were exceptionally higher and I am guessing she'll never pay off her student loans.
Even my wife who is in her 40's, and we pay $800 a month towards her student loans, doesn't look like she'll ever fulfill the debt. She has a doctorate in chemical engineering though so it was a lot more than any of the girls.