<p>Let’s not get side tracked on whether it’s a parents responsibility to pay for their kids college education. The OP is asking for information on how to start a conversation with her parents about paying for her college. </p>
<p>I agree with the posters that have mentioned the fact that many parents truly have no clue as to the cost of college and I feel it’s extremely important to get some parameters set up before visiting. My suggestion is to go together to an information session at a college you are interested in and take it from there. Admissions presentations generally have basic looking at college info. From there it would be easy enough to start talking about what your parents are willing to pay.</p>