paying university fees

My 13 year old step-son announced on his last visit that he intends to go to university and it is likely to cost 12,000 per year.
The Uni he wants to go to is an extremely popular one and would be the most expensive in the region - there are other Uni's in the area that are likely to be a lot cheaper.
He told us his mum had told him to tell us to start saving up to pay for it.
We have a son from our marriage and have always paid maintenance every month without fail - are we legally obliged to continue paying maintenance AND university fees?
I think this would probably bankrupt us!

Is there a court order for child maintenance and if so when is it dated and what are the exact terms? Does it say anything about paying maintenance for the benefit of your step son until he finishes secondary school or tertiary education?

The £12k a year comes from a review of university funding, but as I understand it nothing is written in stone yet and the Government is looking at mortgage style loans to students to cover the increased fees.

Its a good 5 years down the line....and the 12K / year is tuition fees etc....usually this is the student's debt to take on....that said a supportive parent may wish to make a contribution towards this.

Sounds like the ex is using the sone to wind you up....

LB

Thank you for your reply - My husband voluntarily made monthly payments when they seperated. Ex then went to the CSA and the monies were actually reduced!
Neither party has ever made any application to the court and there is no order in place. We have every intention to "help out" and support son whilst he studies but we are loathe to pay money we really cannot afford.

Thank you for replying - we certainly would want to help out with costs and don't want son to start adult life with a huge debt hanging over him
It's just the amount that is beng expected - It is a long time until he is in the position of applying to Uni's and he may not even get in to where he wants (it is extremely popular), he may change his mind completely about going anyway etc, etc.
I think you might be right and it's just something to try to wind us up!