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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


Using credit cards to pay for college
Posted 10/31/2008

Easing the pain with tuition payment plans
Posted 10/14/2008

The college student's part-time job
Posted 08/07/2008



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


Where is the money?
Posted 10/21/2008

Student loans or free money
Posted 03/11/2008

The financially savvy student
Posted 02/25/2008



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


Housing options for college students
Posted 10/29/2008

Spending money on visiting your college student
Posted 09/22/2008

College dorm room expenses
Posted 08/14/2008



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


College costs keep rising
Posted 12/02/2008

Separation causes emotional and financial worries
Posted 10/17/2008

The extra expensive first month of college
Posted 09/23/2008



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


College finances- balance & budgets
Posted 12/12/2008

College costs and the economy
Posted 11/12/2008

Financial literacy for college students
Posted 10/20/2008



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


Deciding to double major
Posted 12/16/2008

College study abroad costs
Posted 11/10/2008

A two month perspective on empty-nesting
Posted 09/08/2008



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


How a divorce might affect a college kid
Posted 12/01/2008

Work-study kind of a misnomer
Posted 10/17/2008

Earning big bucks to pay big bucks for college
Posted 09/09/2008