A cautionary tale from a few years ago, when the parent and student do not come to a firm understanding about financial implications before the application list was made:
Summer between 11th and 12th grade, parent writes that “money is not a factor in the [college] decision”: Best schools for Math/Comp Sci with undergrad research
After student gets admission offers, parent does not want to pay for the more expensive college that is the student’s first choice: Need advice on college choice, $$, etc.