<p>Or even their post-college plans?</p>
<p>I know that for me and my parents, it's affecting whether or not I can afford to apply ED to my first choice... :</p>
<p>I think that it might. Depends on what the markets look like by December. We may very well be pushing the in-state options from the get-go and make it clear that private colleges will have to come up with some aid to make it worthwhile. For us, it's still a bit too soon to tell.</p>
<p>It's an interesting time to be a Wharton student, that's for sure.</p>
<p>I'm talking up the in-state option much more (despite encouraging son to put in a myriad of apps everywhere else). </p>
<p>Husband refused to alter our overly-stock-heavy 529 two months ago when I asked him to change it to bonds. Who knows what that will mean for college.</p>
<p>NO --moved daughter's college funds to cash over summer.</p>
<p>^^Don't beat up your husband too badly over this. If he's anything like me he's beating himself up plenty on his own. Six months ago i was close to 4 years' worth in the market. At least a year's worth is now gone.</p>
<p>You are down only 25% laxtaxi? You are lucky!</p>
<p>Son is only a junior this year. So, we've got a wait n see approach right now. </p>
<p>I was relieved this morning to get my daily email on the 529 status. Whereas the market overall lost 7% yesterday, the kids' accounts only lost 0.33%. $123. Whew.</p>
<p>Thanks, laxtaxi. He did say he'd co-sign large loans for son so I have to appreciate that side of things.</p>
<p>Our decision was last year, and the issue of east coast west cost came up. When factored into the cost of school D decided to stay on the east coast (nearer home) as travel money could be used for other stuff.</p>
<p>Are any of your current college considering transfering for monetary reasons (to State U, etc.) now when they might not have been before?</p>
<p>Our kids college accounts are in age-based funds. One kid is a soph in college, the other is in 11th grade. When I checked yesterday, the age-based funds are doing what they're supposed to be doing - both have YTD earnings of plus-or-minus less than 1%.</p>
<p>I'm wondering how this will affect the colleges' abilities to give out aid, though, seeing as their endowments have to be affected by the stock market decline.</p>
<p>I'm guessing that schools will have less money for aid, so a student who won't be applying for aid will have an advantage. Also, since schools like geographic diversity and it's becoming more expensive to fly, I bet students from far out of state will find acceptance easier.</p>
<p>I also expect that publics will be swamped with applications.</p>
<p>I am not looking at any mutual funds this week- don't want to see it bounce up & down, I am not cashing any out so it is immaterial what happens. I look when things settle down.</p>
<p>That said I am glad every one started school already and that including this year I only have three tuition years of UG to fund- two kids this year & one kid next year, no matter what I think I can make that happen...if I had four or six tuition years left I would be nervous</p>
<p>I have no college fund because of family crises in the past. This is only making things worse. With average grades, average talents, a need for someone to pay for me entirely, and lenders dropping out of the picture, I think that I am rightly blown.</p>
<p>I'm a high school senior, and I have a twin. Also, I have a brother in college right now so money is now a much bigger priority then what it was before. </p>
<p>As for me, I'm thinking of perhaps going to where I get funding from and maybe transfer if the situation improves hopefully. </p>
<p>But man it might be a question of whether or not food will be on the table let alone college education. Let's hope it doesn't get that bad</p>
<p>There was a similar post yesterday regarding applications, but I'll answer it again. </p>
<p>We are one of those "lucky" families that currently makes too much money for FA purposes, but we have not always been so fortunate. We've not managed to save enough to put each child through a private school completely. The financial picture and the economy will play a big role in where D attends. As much as she might love several privates not known for generous merit aid, the wise course right now looks like the state flagship with the guaranteed merit scholarship. We'll wait and see.</p>
<p>Yes! I've told my D that she has to apply to our state's Flagship U even though she didn't plan to because it doesn't have her specialized major (although a BS in Business would would prepare her for her intended career). As much as we want her living away, if the economy really tanks, I would want her to have the option to attend Flagship U and commute from home.</p>
<p>If I was applying again I would definitely be looking at UCSB a bit more closely.</p>