<p>No money trees around that need pruning. Many of us who have EFCs that are up there, find it difficult to pay for college, particularly the top priced ones. Those are after tax dollars in cost, and it hurts for most people who are lucky enough to be able to pay to do so. Hurts to borrow and repay the loans too. </p>
<p>Have you saved for college? Has your student saved for college? Break out the budget book and start seeing how much you can pay out of current income. Can your student start looking for a part time job now and full time for the summer? Then, what are reasonable amounts to borrow and from where ? Do you want your student to take out some of the Staffords? Should go via PLUS or HELOC? That’s how we are doing. Student is pitching in too. It’s not easy, nonetheless.</p>