[PeteB570]

With two kids in the 10th grade I just got hit with that.

If you put money away for college it is figured into the financial aid available. I think kids are expected to kick in 35% of funds available while parents are targeted at 5%. So putting money away starts with "HOW" to put it away.

Financial Aid, Scholarships, savings. Tends to get a bit confusing.

[Ninian Dryhope]

I would recommend having your kids live at home and go to the local community college for the first couple of years.

Not only will this save a ton of money, but it will let your kids grow up a bit before they are exposed to college life. There is a lot of difference between an 18 year old and a 20 year old.

If your kids do well in community classes, there is no problem with having them transfer to even the best colleges. If your kids do not do so well in community college, then at least you have learned that college was not their thing without having to spend a fortune.

Most of the time the classes in community college are much smaller than are the equivalent introductory classes at state colleges, so the kids in the community college get a little more individual attention.

In any case, that is what has worked out well for our family.

[from occupied ga]

I just got hit with that.

I went through it some time ago. I feel your pain :-)