How about a new forum on getting your child to college?

[kellyboysmom]

What I mean is, how about a forum where we can share and get help from some of the smartest, most computer saavy and thriftiest people I know. I'm sure everyone has tips, experience etc. for applying for scholarships, grants etc., how to handle sending your child away, how you handle discipline from afar etc. Am I making any sense? I know there has to be more people out there who could use the help and advice. Just a thought as I sit here with my 11 year-old and his broken toe and stare out the window at the sunshine.

[linnybop]

sounds good to me-we could use all the help we can get. Patrick is heading off to college in the fall and has three brothers behind him. I think we may end up having to sell the house and live in a van by the river.

[Sandy917]

As a single mom who just wrote out the last tuition check for my 2nd child, I think I can offer a few suggestions. Start saving something...anything...in a college fund. It is ridiculously expensive and only getting worse. As far as scholarships, have your child get involved in many various activities. Having good grades alone doesn't always cut it. My daughter got a bunch of scholarships from various places (Walmart offers a scholarship of $1000 (at least it was 8 years ago that she won) and she was very well rounded, sports, band, community service, student governtment, etc. She would go online searching for scholarships and would also go to Barnes & Noble with a paper and pen and look through the books on scholarships and write down the info needed to apply. A great essay is key in getting a scholarship also.

My son (graduating from college this month ) wasn't as aggessive in his search for grants, etc. so his loan debt is a bit more than hers was.

As far as disciplining from afar, there isn't a lot you can do but hope that you raised them right to make good decisions and they will do the right thing. Be prepared though, when they come home for their first break...they will have grown so much you won't believe it!!

There are scholarships offered for just about any situation you can think of, ethnic, minority, sports, music, disability, etc. don't rule anything out. Start searching now. Good luck!!

The relief of knowing I have put my 2 kids through college is unbelievable. It was very difficult but very rewarding. Good luck to you!!

One last thing...DO NOT PAY anyone to do a scholarship search or for your financial aid. Anything they would do, you could do on your own.

[joyx3]

Sounds like a great idea! Any tips, to help with the cost would be an amazing help for those of us who have a child going to college in the near future! I am absolutely stunned by the HUGE, HUGE hike in the cost of college in the past 5 years or so!!!!

[AMulquin]

Good idea.

Sandy, thanks for the tips. Congratulations on your son graduating!

[cjs216]

Originally Posted by Sandy917

As a single mom who just wrote out the last tuition check for my 2nd child, I think I can offer a few suggestions. Start saving something...anything...in a college fund. It is ridiculously expensive and only getting worse.

Hmmm.....there's a double-edge sword on this one. I think part of the reason that college has gotten so ridiculously expensive is because of the overall desire to extend a secondary education to those who qualify academically, but might not have the means to attend, as well as the desire to increase ethnic and socioeconomic diversity at universities.

So, the cost has gone very high but I'm not sure how many people are actually paying the full price. (Although, I know that I am ) I guess what I'm saying is that from a FAFSA point of view, it is better to have nothing (spend it all ) and have a modest income and you will likely get financial aid (non loan).

That's my perception.....any truth to it ?


cj/

[Sandy917]

Originally Posted by cjs216

I guess what I'm saying is that from a FAFSA point of view, it is better to have nothing (spend it all ) and have a modest income and you will likely get financial aid (non loan).

That's my perception.....any truth to it ?


cj/

I think there is some truth to that. I know that for the student it is true. You want your kid to work and earn money for school, but when you do the FASFA, if they make too much, it reduces the amount of aid. Doesn't make sense to me. Not sure what state you are in, but here in NY, there is Tuition Assistance Program that every student would qualify for as long as they are a NYer, and it is awarded based on income so everyone gets something. It is crazy, believe me I know. I had to work a second job through this to help with expenses not to mention I unfortunately tapped into my IRA also.

Look for scholarships and grants, I am telling you they are out there for anything and everything you can think of. Including such things as left handed people of Polish descent. I am not kidding!!!

[fafardsmommy]

Like the above I really recomend applying for every little scholarship out there. There are so many that will give you 1000 or more but they are so small many people don't bother with them. I knew a gilr in college that had a few essays she used but tweeked them towards the specific scholarship and applied for everything she could find and actually got enough for tuition and a car. Go to the financial aid people and even indiviual teachers or department head to see if they know of any and might give you a recomendation for one. I applied to one that the teacher I talked to said had not been given out for years because no one had applied. It was only for 1500 but I got it and it really helped.