There's no help. You're actually penalized if you've saved money for college because you get less financial aid. Yes, those who save are expected to contribute more toward their own or their child's education than those who don't save. However, the formulas that determine the expected family contribution consider income far more significant than savings. A family that saves will have the funds to meet their expected contribution, while a family who doesn't save may have to borrow money and pay interest.
Private colleges are always more expensive than public colleges.
Private colleges usually do cost more than public institutions even after student aid is deducted, but there are exceptions. For example, the cost of a private institution, minus student aid, often is less than a public institution outside one's home state. Only athletes get scholarships. Only minorities get financial aid. Very little is awarded solely on the basis of students' race or ethnicity.