Making College Affordable
Planning for the costs of college:
My 529 Plan is a savings plan to help parents build savings to send their students to college.
Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is a grant provided by the government to college students based solely on household income. This is not something you need to begin working on with your elementary students, but it is a good thing to be aware of and may be helpful to explore if you have older students as well.
https://www.commonapp.org/counselors-and-recommenders/common-app-ready This app may be helpful for students in grades 5-6. As they begin planning for college, they can use this app to assist in decision making and preparations.
Helping students prepare for college:
https://studentaid.gov/resources/prepare-for-college/checklists/middle-school
https://www.schoolcounselor.org/magazine/blogs/november-december-2014/dreams-into-plans
Note: In High School, your student may have the opportunity to take Advanced Placement (AP) and Concurrent Enrollment (CCE) classes. These are college-level courses that provide students with college credits at a more affordable rate and with the advantage of teacher and classroom supports. Ask your school counselor about these opportunities at the beginning of your student's freshman year of high school.