The Wall Street Journal has a pretty long column today about paying for college. While much of the advice is common sense, it is a good summary for people starting the process.
http://www.wsj.com/articles/questions-families-need-to-ask-about-paying-for-college-1442800935
When parents and children talk about applying for colleges, they consider all sorts of factors: the school’s prestige, the location, even the food in the dormitories.
But often there’s one thing that never is on the agenda: How are we going to pay for this?
The reasons for avoiding the subject are as varied as families themselves. Some parents—who are conditioned to want the best for their child—feel guilty implying money considerations might limit the choice of school. Others may simply consider the family’s financial situation taboo, even more so than sex.