College is a complex, multi-year, six figure project. I have three pieces of advice to get you started. 

Don’t delegate the management of this project to your teenager. She doesn’t have the skills or the life experience to handle a project of this scope. In particular, don’t delegate the choice of school to your teenager and their hapless high school guidance counselor. 

Start early. You need to think about starting a 529 plan when your child is born. When your student hits middle school, you need to get serious. 

Knowledge is power. The more you know about “going to college,” the less it is going to cost. Go to the library, take out the six books listed in the Notes, and read them. 

Notes 

Frank Palmasani’s, Right College, Right Price.  

Bonnie Snyder’s, The New College Reality.  

The Princeton Review’s, Paying for College (2024).  

Margaret Munro’s, 529 & Education Savings Plans for Dummies.  

Gen and Kelly Tanabe’s, The Ultimate Scholarship Book 2025. 

Mark Kantrowitz’s, How to Appeal for More Financial Aid Award.