<p>Students and parents need to REALLY research colleges and cost of attendance when students are in 9th and 10th grade. There are so many variables! Case in point, my youngest was all set to attend an in-state school to become a CPA, thinking that it would be the most cost effective strategy. Not so! The private school she will attend this fall is $4,000 cheaper (due to lots of awards) & she can complete her CPA there in 4 years. Also, the private has a higher CPA pass rate than the state school.</p>
<p>Community College sounds cheaper, but a student can get lost in the shuffle! Some community colleges have larger enrollments than universities. We, as a family made a commitment decades ago; parents working extra hours and second jobs, no vacations, frugal living, children working 60 hours a week at summer jobs, no cars at college, and living in less than desirable college housing. These are all ways to cut costs and save money and to alleviate debt.</p>