<p>Hi everyone,</p>
<p>I’m here in search for steps into settling my daughter into a college. Shes a freshman this year so I figured this is a good time to begin looking.</p>
<p>Is she a freshman in high school? If so, the best thing you can do now is just watch her grades and make sure you are educated on your school’s offerings. Make sure she takes a rigorous course load if she can handle it academically. I would save college visits for Junior year, as kids change SO much through high school.</p>
<p>The best thing that you can do for yourself, is to run the Expected Family Contribution (EFC) calculators at [FinAid</a>! Financial Aid, College Scholarships and Student Loans](<a href=“http://www.finaid.org%5DFinAid”>http://www.finaid.org) and at [College</a> Calculators - savings calculators - college costs, loans](<a href=“College Board - SAT, AP, College Search and Admission Tools”>Calculate Your Cost – BigFuture | College Board) This will give you an idea of what the colleges/universities will expect you to pay. In fact, most places will expect you to pay more. If you want to see how money from income and money from savings, investments, and property other than your personal home affect your FAFSA EFC, you can print out <a href=“http://ifap.ed.gov/efcformulaguide/attachments/111609EFCFormulaGuide20102011.pdf[/url]”>http://ifap.ed.gov/efcformulaguide/attachments/111609EFCFormulaGuide20102011.pdf</a> and then test various scenarios with pencil, paper, and pocket calculator.</p>
<p>If you’ve never run these calculators, most of us would advise that you prepare yourself for tears. Some would recommend beginning this activity with a stiff adult beverage of your choice. But, the numbers are what they are. And, until you know what they are, you won’t be in a good position to start the discussion about just exactly how your family will pay for your daughter’s education.</p>