I think it is the agreement that it's a family project that's important. He says parents should also recognize that there is a veritable smorgasbord of ways to pay for college, allowing some creativity in coming up with an affordable package. Looking for other scholarship opportunities can also pay off, but students need to target likely programs because it can take time to fill out applications or meet program requirements. If you invest your time in preparing scholarship opportunities, you may actually receive. Then there's work.
Summer jobs can go a long way toward helping to cover college expenses.
Even if your child isn't receiving financial aid, it's reasonable to expect a similar contribution. That amount, says Mr. Belvin, is probably enough to cover miscellaneous personal expenses. During the school year, a good on-campus job can produce more than tuition dollars. If the job is in a college lab or working with a professor, the experience can be invaluable. Too much work, however, can stretch out the college process, delaying the day when your child stops flipping hamburgers and starts earning a higher salary, says Kalman Chany, president of Campus Consultants Inc., a New York advisory firm that works with families to maximize college financial aid.