Got our first college bill

<p>Another milestone! Our first bill from college. It's actually not that bad because I only have to pay half now and they automatically subtracted out the school scholarship my S is receiving. I think this will come out of the 529 plan. Seems like I only opened that account yesterday... maybe it was 3 years ago.</p>

<p>welcome to the wonderful world of paying tuitions! I don't think I'll ever be done..... :)</p>

<p>I'm actually looking forward to getting that first bill (due any day now)...I've got way too much money in my checking account (in readiness for paying the bill)...that feeling of "false riches" is disconcerting! ANd the "poverty" that will hit the minute the check goes out will be the norm for the next four years...might as well start getting used to it!</p>

<p>Got dorm and roomate info today...what a wallop to the stomach that was...made S's imminent departure very real...he'll be living w/someone (who now has a name & a hometown) who isn't me!</p>

<p>Maybe I should go dig up the "empty nest" thread and cry on other CCers' shoulders! And offer mine for their tears...</p>

<p>Hey, that's what the money is for. The day I paid the first (major) tuition bill was one of the happiest days of my life (I sang all day) - of course, I would have to admit that, in the total scheme of things, it wasn't very much....</p>

<p>NJres: when paying from the 529 account, be sure to check the rules for payment in order to retain the tax-free growth. Typically payments have to be made directly to the school from the account, so you cannot use a monthly tuition payment plane (because you pay the tuition to the plan administrator, a private company), nor can you pay the school from other funds and reimburse yourself from the 529 account.
Otherwise, enjoy.</p>