3 things St. Louis parents should do to save on college
These tips could save you thousands on your child’s education.
Every fall, many St. Louis parents start planning college visits for their soon-to-be high school grads. The process of preparing to send your child off to college for the first time comes with a lot of different emotions. The last thing any parent wants to worry about is how they will afford to send their child to their dream school. Before booking those visits, consider these tips for affording college.
1. Before ruling out colleges that you think will be “too expensive,” look at the whole picture. Make sure you know the total cost—not just tuition. Most colleges have a breakdown of total cost of attendance on their website. These calculations often include estimates for housing, dining, books, transportation, supplies, and personal expenses. Take into account extra expenses like out-of-state fees, Greek life, and additional courses or programs (such as summer programs or study abroad opportunities). You can also use a net price calculator to determine the complete cost.
2. When you see the total, don’t freak out! You have more financial resources than you think. Consider all the potential resources—most of them can be combined to cover the complete cost. Here are a few ideas to get you started.
- Scholarships, grants, and waivers from: the college itself (typically based on academic performance, athletics, or majors); federal, state, or local government programs; national or St. Louis area companies; nonprofit organizations or religious groups; or need-based assistance, usually based on family income or hardship
- Tuition assistance or reimbursement programs offered by parents’ employers or the US Military
- Your savings, including 529 college savings plans
- Your student’s contribution, from savings or part-time employment
- Student loans and parent loans that are either federal (determined by FAFSA and CSS Financial Aid Profile applications) or private (determined by the lending institution)
3. Include your child in the conversation. Take your time going through topics like the ones below. These conversations can be difficult, but keeping an open line of communication is an important part of growing up. But don’t be surprised if it takes a few attempts to complete these conversations.
- Discuss the institutions they’re considering and what interests them about these schools.
- Explain how much it costs to live and how much college costs.
- Talk about what you’re planning to contribute and what your child plans to contribute. Agree on the expectations for your child—specifically, what actions they will take to help pay for college.
- Work together to determine how your child will pay for nonessential items, and help them develop a weekly or monthly budget.
Finding ways to pay for college doesn’t have to be overwhelming. These are just a few ways to lighten the financial load. Feel free to think outside the box and get creative! To learn more about preparing your student—and yourself—for college, check out books like A High School Parent’s Guide to College Success by Amy Baldwin and Brian Tietje.
This post was created by St. Louis Partner Studio on behalf of Higher Ed Parent. Follow them on Facebook to learn more about preparing and paying for college and setting up your child for success.
