<p>Just like the other posters who where up front about money from the very beginning, telling the kiddos early really helped motivate them. Mine all knew from feshman year in high school on what the “bottom line” would be. It not only dictated which schools and where but how many outside scholarship apps/employment/internships they would need to make it happen for THEM.</p>
<p>I served as “calendar girl” and “stamp licker” and they did the rest. How much outside scholie money they achieved and institutional monies requiring seperate apps would have a direct corollation to the amount of student loans they would require.</p>
<p>I moved them to a state with many in-state options with very low cost tuitions. They had the fall-back of being able to live at home and commute, work in exchange for room and board on campus (RAs, research positions with required residency on campus). Taught them all how to use half.com for books and the library for texts.</p>
<p>Since they knew the exact $ amount we could do, it was up to them. 5 years later, 4 kiddos in undergrad/grad school now it has made a difference. Both son #2 and daughter#2 have received additional scholarships funds after already matriculating. And some of their outside scholarships are graduated, more for each year, i.e $3K, then $5K and upwards each year after. With much determination all have managed to eliminate all loans, all summer contributions and work study. DD managed to keep her work study job as reg. part-time employment (clinical work in dr.'s office on campus and she is pre-med). This allowed them the freedom to be more selective about summer programs/research/internships and practice time for their respective sports.</p>
<p>Kat</p>