<p>One of the kindest things you can do for your parents, is to ask them to run the EFC calculators at [FinAid</a>! Financial Aid, College Scholarships and Student Loans](<a href=“http://www.finaid.org%5DFinAid”>http://www.finaid.org) and at [College</a> Calculators - savings calculators - college costs, loans](<a href=“College Board - SAT, AP, College Search and Admission Tools”>Calculate Your Cost – BigFuture | College Board) If they are like many other parents here, they will be shocked by this figure so you may want to have tissues, chocolate, adult beverages, or other comfort items handy.</p>
<p>When they recover a bit, direct your parents to the Financial Aid and Parents Forums here, and they will find people who can help them figure out some of the things that they have questions about.</p>