My S15 took advantage of a sizable NMF scholarship and is a happy freshman at OU. Other than getting the cash-on-hand in order by August for a year abroad, I'm pretty sure he is set.
But I've been more worried about my D18, who is just as bright and as good a standardized test-taker as her brother, but is less likely to accept the big scholarships far away IF she should happen to qualify. However.... I think we have a starting budget.
Current 529 + projected deposits between now & graduation + limited GI bill benefits transferred from her dad + shifting over the money currently paid for piano/voice lessons & semi-pro children's choir fees + conservative potential summer work earnings of her own... divided over 4 years = ballpark current COA at the state school campus she is most likely to attend if she goes to one of our non-flagships (music, math, linguistics & education interests) - before ANY scholarships or grants or loans.
It's not a large budget, and I'm sure costs will continue to rise. But with some merit, and maybe some institutional aid - she may have some choices when graduation rolls around.
Just had to put this out there - it's a big deal for me, as a single parent with median income, tiny assets and extremely limited support from the NCP. I get sad, and a little paranoid, reading all the money threads coming out this time of year. Figuring this out the other day now helps me not to panic - maybe I can't give her the world, but I can position her to achieve.
tl/dr - My kid can go to college :)
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