Managing Finances

The time has arrived for your family to get truly focused on prioritizing finances for college opportunities. After so many years of focusing on test scores and grades, the money and cost factor is something that might have taken you by surprise.

Your student may have a best friend or group of friends that he or she was inseparable with throughout high school. To avoid seperation, some students may be influenced to attend a college where their best friend or their group of friends is going. Other times, it may just be a coincidence that the college offers the curriculum and college lifestyle that each friend is seeking.

If your student and his or her best friend are planning to go to the same college together, here are some ways to ensure attending the same college is a smart idea.

For those who find out in-state tuition may be a possibility: many don't pursue it any further, some learn all about it but never act, some try to make it happen but fail, some try to make it happen and succeed, some hire a professional company such as In-State Angels to make sure it happens and happens right.  Regardless of who you are, some would say you owe it to yourself to figure out the first step, does it makes sense to pursue in-state tuition given your specific circumstances? If it does not, no harm.  If it does, make it happen one way or another!

Financial planning for after graduation can be a bit hectic for the new alumni. Going from dorm rooms and dining halls to new apartments and grocery shopping can be a surprising change.

But with the proper planning and budgeting, realistic financial goals and financial responsibility can be easily reached for the recent grad. Here are ways to help your student plan for financial responsibility after graduating, and help set the path for positive financial habits.

Basic tuition tips and advice to help parents and students prepare for college by understanding financing options available while understanding how to choose a college that fits your budget.

For a quick smile, take a gander at this rapping puppet video from our friends Barry and Skueaky at cuStudentLoans.