This strategy is appropriate if you cannot afford the cost of a four-year school. You can minimize college costs if your child attends a two-year school in the freshman and sophomore years. This could give you more time to save for the higher-cost, four-year school.

SUGGESTION: Working with the high school guidance office, your child should develop a list of schools in which he or she is interested and do your research on each of them. You and your child should rank the schools without regard to cost. Then rank them according to what you think you can afford. This process will help you hone in on a school that your child likes and that you can afford.

SUGGESTION: There are services available that match your child's personal profile and needs with the college that fits their unique situation; see the section College Planning Services.