| A post-secondary education can cost up to $250,000 | | | | requires and the major in which he is interested. |
| at some colleges. Unfortunately, most of us don't have | | | | Be careful about getting in over your head with college |
| the money fairy at our beck and call to pay for it! | | | | costs. I've seen too many students get into hock up to |
| There is a misconception that the "right" college has to | | | | their eyeballs to finance an undergraduate education. In |
| be the one with the highest tuition and ivy creeping up | | | | my estimation, that is a huge mistake. Heavy-duty loan |
| its walls. College is ridiculously expensive, and tuition | | | | payments put enormous pressure on students unlikely |
| costs seem to rise faster than the rate of inflation; | | | | to earn high-salaries straight out of college. Students |
| however, there is no reason to spend $250,000 for the | | | | who finance their entire education tend to fritter money |
| prestige factor when there are many other excellent | | | | away because of a mindset that says: It will be years |
| choices that cost less. | | | | until I have to pay it back -- I'll enjoy myself now. The |
| In the end, the "name" of the school your teen attends | | | | college years, however, fly by in a flash, and that loan, |
| isn't nearly as important as the mark he or she leaves. | | | | with accrued interest, will saddle the new graduate |
| Graduating "Hoity-Toity University" with a mediocre | | | | with as many as two decades of debt. |
| GPA and little involvement isn't going to get a student | | | | In short, the college years present significant academic |
| as far as distinguishing oneself at a local state college. | | | | and financial decisions that should not be entered into |
| Far more important than prestige is the college's "fit" | | | | lightly. Due diligence and careful planning done now will |
| and whether it offers the academic support your teen | | | | bear significant rewards in the future. |