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Tuition Tales

Read first-hand experiences with paying for college from different families as they go through the process the first – or maybe second or third – time. Share your own thoughts, experiences and advice on the college search, financial planning, deciding on a college, the financial aid process, applying for scholarships, and student loan applications.


About Carol

Carol is the parent of twins who are seniors in high school and a 20-year old son at community college who will transfer as a junior at the same time the twins start. Carol's oldest graduated in 2006 and will go to grad school when the other three start college - FOUR kids in college at once! Carol is also an avid blogger - northwestladybug.blogspot.com.

A mother of four children all in college at the same time


Revising the FAFSA: A primer for parents
Posted 3/17/08

Hands-on parenting: you're not done yet
Posted 2/4/08

The FAFSA: That wasn't so bad after all
Posted 1/21/08



About Cherie

Cherie is a school teacher by trade with over 32 years of experience teaching teenagers. She's done the college routine three times herself with a B.S. in Education, a Master of Library Science and an Educational Specialist degree in Staff and Personnel. She has two sons - a college graduate and a senior in high school.

Mother of two with a lot of her own college experience


Strategies for college families
Posted 06/09/2009

Studying abroad: passports, transportation and housing
Posted 2/1/2009

Paying for study abroad programs
Posted 12/16/2008



About Jane

A wife, mom and writer, Jane works part-time for a small PR/advertising agency and helps with her husband’s psychological practice. She has 18-year-old boy/girl twins who were born after five miserable years of infertility treatment. Jane is currently working on a book about Southern food stories, a part of the country so rich in food lore!

A mother of twins on their way to college for the first time


Second semester tuition bills
Posted 10/29/2008

Lessons about paying college bills
Posted 10/08/2008

First semester finances
Posted 07/16/2008



About Janet

Janet is a mother of two college children from New Jersey. Her son is a senior in Maryland majoring in biology with the hopes of continuing his studies in dental school. Her daughter is a junior also in the field of science, majoring in nutrition. Janet has been married to the same man for almost 28 years - my have the years flown!

A college parent with two children currently enrolled


Getting into graduate school
Posted 3/7/09

Deferments
Posted 2/11/2009

Where is the money?
Posted 10/21/2008



About Katherine

Katherine's own college experience still plays a significant role in her life – from the degree that has shaped her career to the great group of friends she once shared a dorm with – priceless! A freelance writer, Katherine lives in the Lehigh Valley of Pennsylvania with her husband and two sons.

A mother of two with the first one heading off to college


The summer student loan search
Posted 06/27/2009

Lessons learned on the first year of college costs
Posted 05/05/2009

Housing options for college students
Posted 10/29/2008



About Kim

Kimberly is a married, mother of 6 children - 3 in college, 2 in high school, and one in grade school. She's active with her students, planning post-school events and fundraising activities and assisting her husband with the local basketball program. In her free time, she enjoys watching sports, especially basketball and lacrosse when her children are playing!

A mother of six - three in college and three on the way


Difficult times for college families
Posted 11/04/2008

Communication with the financial aid office
Posted 09/18/2008

Using the college parent network
Posted 06/13/2008



About Lee

An award-winning writer from Iowa, Lee spent 26 years writing about every subject imaginable - including a 13-year stint as an education reporter. She runs a successful freelance writing business from home while raising two teenage sons. Their oldest will be heading for college this fall somewhere in the Midwest.

A self-employed mother helping her son with the college selection


Tightening college finances
Posted 06/25/2009

Financial stability and the FAFSA
Posted 05/27/2009

College - and life - decisions
Posted 04/20/2009



About Mary Martha

Mary is the parent of two children – a senior and a high school junior - in Arizona. She is also a consultant, freelance writer, and career counselor. Now she is no longer talking about the college process, but living it! Mary invites you to come along for the “senior year ride” as it promises to be an enlightening experience for all!

A mother of two and an education counselor


It's not summer break for financial aid
Posted 07/01/2009

The end of freshman year
Posted 05/12/2009

College costs and the recession
Posted 04/02/2009



About Rick

Rick is a high school English teacher from Michigan and the father of two children, one college junior and a high school senior. Rick has a lot of experience helping his students write college essays and find scholarships for college that he can now share with his son.

A father of two surrounded by college-bound students


Two kids, two tuition bills
Posted 06/17/2009

Deciding to double major
Posted 12/16/2008

College study abroad costs
Posted 11/10/2008



About Scott

Scott is an honor roll student, an experienced farm worker and an athlete attending a state school in Iowa. During his freshman year, he'll share how he helps his family with the tuition bills and living expenses and how he makes the adjustment to life in college.

Freshman student at state college in Iowa


College summer blues
Posted 06/30/2009

College freshman year is over
Posted 04/30/2009

The second year costs
Posted 3/5/09