Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Page 9 Page 10 Page 11 Page 12 Page 13 Page 14 Page 15 Page 16 Page 17 Page 18 Page 19 Page 20 Page 21 Page 22 Page 23 Page 24 Page 25 Page 26 Page 27 Page 28 Page 29 Page 30 Page 31 Page 32 Page 33 Page 34 Page 35 Page 36 Page 37 Page 38 Page 39 Page 40 Page 41 Page 42 Page 43 Page 44 Page 45 Page 46 Page 47 Page 48 Page 494 Parenting As parents/guardians, sometimes it’s hard to figure out how to be helpful without being overbearing. Here are some tips for parents, guardians and other trusted adults to make the college planning process a little easier for everyone. •  Start saving for college now. See about starting a Path2College 529 Plan. •  Attend college visits, job fairs, college nights and financial aid nights with your student so you get the same information. •  Talk with your student about selecting a school. Look for one within your budget and that also meets their educational and extracurricular interests. •  Be aware of key deadlines – applications, deposits, academic requirements, financial aid – there are lots of things to remember. Keeping a calendar and checklists can help everyone stay organized. •  Complete the FAFSA eachyear after October 1. Involve your student in the process. •  Knowyour EFC (Expected Family Contribution). This is how much your family is expected to contribute toward your student’s college ed- ucation each year. •  Help your student find and apply for scholarships and grants. There are thousands available! •  Understand your loan options. Many students need some type of loan to help pay for college and some parents take out loans to help their children. Parents and students need to be informed consumers before committing to a loan. •  Compare the financial aid award letters your student receives from colleges to make sure both of you understand how much is free aid (scholarships, grants, etc.) and how much are loans that will need to be paid back. Contact the college’s financial aid office if you have any questions. •  Work with your child to set up a budget that shows what financial aid will cover, how much you’ll pay and how much your student will contribute through work and student loans. Budgeting is an important part of the college experience. HelpYour Student Plan for College (Are the adults in your life driving you crazy about going to college? This section is just for them.)