For a child born in 2004, the full cost of four years at a private college will amount to nearly $250,000.  Next to buying a home, a college education is the largest expenditure most parents will ever make.  The key to sending your child to college is advance planning. Articles 529 plans 529 Plans vs. Other College Savings Options Estate Planing and 529 Plans The ABCs Of 529 Plans Tip State Savings Plans Education planning basics ABCs of financial aid Can I afford to send my child to college? Education tax credits Factors That May Give You the Edge Over Other College Candidates Finding money to pay college bills out of pocket Going back to school as an adult Helping your child make the transition from high school to college History of Education Tax Credits How Your Money Grows Research tips when choosing a college Saving for retirement and a child's education at the same time Saving on College Housing Costs State Savings Plans vs Prepaid Tuition Plans Sticker shock--creative ways to lower the cost of college Student loan basics Student Loan Collection Efforts The ABCs Of 529 Plans The best ways to save for college The college application process Tip Getting into College Tip PLUS Loans Tips for Filling Out and Sending In Your Financial Aid Applications What Your Child Should Bring to College Tools 529 plans State savings plan contributions growth calculator State savings plan nonqualified withdrawals calculator College savings options Advantages and disadvantages of 529 plans Advantages and disadvantages of Coverdell education savings accounts Advantages and disadvantages of custodial accounts for college savings Advantages and disadvantages of U.S. savings bonds for college savings College funding options analyzer College savings vehicles compared Financial aid College application and financial aid calendar Comparison of federal higher education loans Financial aid calendar Saving for college College Savings College savings analyzer Enhanced Loan Calculator Finding the funds to pay for a college education Higher education figures at-a-glance Loan Comparison Calculator Lunch Savings Calculator Savings Goals Savings, Taxes and Inflation Student Budget Calculator Tax issues Comparison of tax credits and deductions Qualified education expenses defined Summary of tax-advantaged college savings options FAQs College costs Are there any ways to lower the cost of college? What expenses are included in the annual cost of college? What is the college inflation rate? College students and insurance Ask the Experts - What health insurance options do college students have My child is heading off to college this fall. What insurance issues does this raise? Education tax credits Now that my child is in college, am I entitled to any education tax credits? What are the Hope credit and the Lifetime Learning credit? Financial aid Are any financial aid programs tailored especially to parents of post-secondary students? Are there any assets that are not counted for financial aid purposes? Can an UGMA/UTMA account reduce my child's financial aid for college? Can anyone get a Pell Grant? Can we negotiate our child's financial aid award? Do colleges offer financial aid? How can my child find scholarships for college? How do I apply for financial aid? How do I know if I'm eligible for federal financial aid? How does the federal financial aid process work? Is there anything I can do now so that my child can obtain more financial aid later? What are the major federal financial aid loan programs? What happens if our child's college does not give us all the financial aid we need? What is a Stafford Loan? Paying for college I've heard that a grandparent can pay a grandchild's tuition directly to the college without any gift tax problems. Is this true? Should I take out a home equity loan to pay for my child's tuition? Should I use my 401(k) to fund my child's college education? Should I withdraw money from my IRA to pay for my child's college tuition? Saving for college Are government savings bonds risk free? Are savings bonds a good way to save? Are state savings plans a good way to save for college? Can an UGMA/UTMA account reduce my child's financial aid for college? Do series EE bonds offer any special advantages if used for college savings? Help! My child is only two years away from college and we haven't saved much. What should we do? How can I save for my child's college education? How can we possibly save for retirement and our child's college education at the same time? Should I establish a trust for my child's college education fund? Should I open a Coverdell education savings account? Should I save for college in my name or my child's name? What are the rules for Coverdell education savings accounts? What is the CollegeSure CD? Selecting and applying to a college How many colleges should my child apply to? How should my child go about selecting a college? When are college applications due? Student loans Are my student loan payments tax deductible? Can I refinance my student loan? How will I ever pay off my student loans? I'm having trouble paying my student loans. What should I do? Is student loan interest deductible?

The 360 Degrees of Financial Literacy Web site offers general information for managing personal finances and does not recommend specific financial actions.  For financial advice tailored to your situation, please contact an expert such as a CPA or a personal financial advisor.