My son is a senior and is getting ready to go to college in the Fall. We have been busy getting all of the paperwork done and filing for financial aid and fun things like that. Honestly, who knew that there was so much to do? It has really been an eye opener! $800 deposit please! When I went to college, it was a lot easier. I chose the classes and Daddy paid. LOL Now, it is so expensive, for most people financial aid is the only way to afford the tuition.
Senior year is another eye opener. The expenses are amazing any more. $80 for a year book. $200 for announcements and the cap and gown. $150 for senior portfolio pictures. $250+ for a class ring. $100 for senior trip. Not to mention prom and on and on. It is crazy. I cringe whenever the kid comes in and says “Mom, I need a check for….”
How many of you have seniors getting ready to head to college? Or if they have already went, how did you manage the crazy expenses? I need tips!
It certainly takes a lot of money to send a child to college. There are a lot of different scholarships available, so keep on looking. I don’t know about senior year expenses, but perhaps your son could get a part time job or sit him down and show him how much everything costs. Maybe there are some things he doesn’t have to have.
Thanks for the tips ladies. I will check out the info shared. We have a few scholarships on the line, but not enough
Scholarships can be a big help. They have many out there that you don’t even realize. From art to community service to writing poetry to simple living in a certain area, they are definitely worth checking into. Also, look for cheaper book options. Renting or getting used are great ways to cut down on books, and try to sell back the ones you don’t want. Compare prices of several sites before buying. Talk to the college about help options, too. Good luck and congrats to you and your son!
been there, done that…thank goodness our kid is 28 and on her own! Never want to go through that again as it about killed us financially those 4 years since 70% was paid by us, 20% in financial aid and 10% by her.
My boys are still very young, but I am nervous about school expenses too. I have opened an account for my boys and am putting extra money in there now in preparation for later. There is no such thing as too much money saved!
Try searching for for some really off-the-wall scholarships. scholarships.com/financial-aid/college-scholarships/scholarships-by-type/unusual-scholarships/ <—– Lists some good ones. There are other sites, too. There are scholarships for just about everything – just keep searching. Scholarships for blacks, Jews, kids of plumbers, women over 35, little people, children of firefighters, kids of Armenian heritage……I bet you could find SOMETHING (even if it's not a whole lot of $$$) if you look really hard. Every little bit helps!