Most new college students pack way too many things when they prepare for that first year away on campus. The problem is that they many times forget to take some important items that will come in far more handy than those galoshes that Mom secretly slipped into your bag.

A helpful site, College and Finance, has put together a cool list of 18 Overlooked Things Everyone Should Bring to College. How many of these did you forget? More »

We’ve discussed before the onerous cost of college textbooks, along with some ways around that burdensome cost.  Now, out of the Deep South, comes some additional relief for those of you who may be planning on attending Florida state colleges and universities.

Dennis Carter, in eCampus News describes this ambitious and student-friendly initiative. Some program highlights: More »

For those of you Early Decision or Early Action applicants who are fortunate enough to be admitted this fall, your estimated financial aid packages will be arriving in mid-December either with or soon after that fat envelope. That’s the good news.

The bad news may be that you’ll find yourself needing more money to pay for your dream school. Where can you turn? What can you do?

Well, one of my favorite Web sites, Consumerist.com, has some answers in its Big List of Student Loan Resources. Here it is: More »

“It costs how much per year?!”

Hey, kids. Ever heard that from your parents concerning your college picks? The cost of going to college has reached astronomical heights and promises to keep on going. Right about now, high school seniors across the land are making their college lists and parents, like Santa, are checking them twice. Why?

Well, this article from Campus Grotto gives us a healthy hint: More »

Our old New York Times buddy, Jacques Steinberg, has a very interesting article about college applicants trying to become buddy-buddy with admissions officers via Facebook.

Ever thought of doing that? Maybe you should think again.

Jacques is currently at the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC) convention, where he has picked up some valuable information for prospective college students who will be applying for admission this fall. Here’s what he says: More »

“How much will college cost this family?”

That may be the most asked, or at least pondered, question for any parents doing some serious thinking about their high schooler’s higher education. Enter the Estimated Family Contribution (EFC) and the EFC Calculator.

What is the EFC? Here’s how fafsa.org defines it: More »

When our children were growing up, my wife and I often talked about how we were going to save enough college money for two kids. That task alone seemed overwhelming, but we also had to discuss retirement, the other money monster sitting out there on the horizon. How to manage both?

Therein lies the challenge for most parents today: saving for college and retirement simultaneously. US News has put together a thoughtful article that explores five key points that can help you address this two-pronged conundrum. Here’s a quick check on the Fab Five: More »

Parents and college students: How do you feel about having the Federal government become the sole provider and proprietor of your college loans?  I’m thinking about the resounding successes of Cash for Clunkers, the stimulus packages, and pending health care plans. Not that I have doubts about Big Government’s ability to handle things smoothly and to the benefit of all concerned.

The alleged good new, I suppose, is that private lenders, banks mostly, will be driven out of the college loan business. Hmm. Let’s see. This wouldn’t be an affront to free enterprise, would it? Anyway, here’s the story: More »

I remember when I first went to college, back when the earth was still cooling from its formation. Having twenty dollars in my pocket was like having a secret bank account in Switzerland. Things have changed since then.

The earth has cooled off, continental drift has slowed, and today’s college students think nothing of maxing out their $5,000 credit card limits. Parents are struggling with their own financial issues, such as how to keep their jobs, pay their bills, and–not least of all–manage those huge tuition bills that arrive at the most inopportune times.

If you’re a parent or, especially, a college student, you may want to investigate this article for some ideas about how to survive College Money Madness 101. More »

As a parent of two former college students, I can certainly identify with the concerns of today’s parents about the so-called Swine Flu (H1N1 Flu). Due to the close proximity of students in dorms, with many shared facilities, the transmission of flu viruses, even in “normal” times can be a real hazard.

Now, however, with such a potentially (and confirmed deadly) strain on the loose, the landscape for concern has taken a stressful turn: More »