The college search and admission process may be your student’s responsibility, but that doesn’t mean you can’t or shouldn’t help. In fact, there are a lot of ways parents can support and aid their children throughout the process as well as a few tasks you must do—like gathering information on family finances for the FAFSA. If you’re a little overwhelmed by everything your student has to do, it’s likely they are too. Make it a smoother process by exploring our best advice for parents, from college admission all the way to when you say goodbye to your student on move-in day.
Helping your student with the college search
- 5 Ways Parents Can Be Helpful in the College Search: The college search is a major process for your student, but it’s hard to know when to step in and when to back off. Here’s some helpful advice!
- When Should My Teen Start Their College Search?: There isn't a specific time students have to start the college search, but our experts have advice for parents on when and how their students can be planning.
- How to Help Your Student Through College Admission Season: Parents want what's best for their students, of course. But here's what you should and shouldn't do to help them during the college admission process.
- 4 Great Reasons for Your Student to Consider Community College: Community college is a smart step for students and their families for many reasons. Here are four great ones to consider during the college search!
- How to Team Up With Your Teen on the College Search: You know you want to help your child with their college search, but what can you do? Here's how you can help your student throughout this process.
- 7 Fun Ways to Explore College Towns With Your Student: The local area near a college is as important as the campus itself. Here are seven ways to get to know the town where your student may spend several years.
- 4 Important Factors to Help Your Teen Choose a College: One of the biggest college search mistakes is doing it haphazardly. Here are four key areas to focus on when helping your teen find their best-fit college.
Resolving problems and exploring alternative options
- Helping Your Indecisive Teen With the College Search: The college search is a huge process with a lot of choices for students to make. Here's how to guide your teen to informed decisions when looking at schools.
- When Should Parents Step in During the College Admission Process?: Parents naturally want to help their students through the college admission process, but there are times to step in and times to step back. Here's when to help!
- How to Help Your Reluctant Student Start Planning for College: High school is when college conversations begin in earnest, but sometimes students don't readily engage. Here's how parents can help get the ball rolling.
- My Teen Doesn't Want to Go to College: What Can I Do?: Having your teen declare they don't want to go to college can be difficult for parents who want the best for their kids. Here's how to handle it.
- Great Alternative Paths If Your Student Isn't Interested in College: A traditional college education isn't the only option for students—and it's okay if they don't want it! Here are other options for you to explore together.
- What If I Disagree With My Student's College Choice?: Many parents have strong opinions when it comes to their student's college choices. But should parents do something if they disagree? Our experts weigh in.
- How to Resolve Conflict With Your Student in the College Search: The college admission process can be contentious between parents and students. Here's how to find a balance and resolve any conflict with your teen.
Discussing and planning finances
- Plan Ahead, Pay Less: Top College Financial Advice for High School Parents: The cost of college is daunting, but you want to help your student tackle it. Here's some great advice on how you can pay less with some early preparation.
- 4 Tips for Families to Maximize College Affordability: For families looking for ways to cut college costs, it's important to think outside the box. Here, an expert on college affordability shares his strategies.
- Hidden College Costs: What You Have to Pay and How to Cut Down: Sometimes extra college expenses sneak up on you. Don't get caught off guard with this list of common hidden fees and costs, plus ways to combat them.
- Parents, It's Time to Communicate About College Costs: Some parents put off the money talk with their students far longer than they should. Here's why you should talk about college costs early in the search process.
- 5 Things Parents Need to Know About the FAFSA: If you or your child are applying to college, here are five essential things you need to know about the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
- Financial Transparency: The FAFSA, Your Student, and You: Some parents are wary about sharing financial information with their students when filing the FAFSA. Here's how to avoid it and the positives if you don't.
- Top 5 Mistakes Families Make When Saving for College: We all know college is expensive, but it's a lot less so when families are prepared ahead of time. Avoid these mistakes for better college financial planning.
- 4 Important Numbers to Know Before Your Teen Applies to College: One of your main parental roles in the college search is figuring out the numbers. Here are the most important figures to know before your student applies.
- Important Steps to Learn Smart Money Borrowing Practices for College: Sometimes parents have to borrow money on behalf of their student to afford college. Before you sign any papers, learn these important borrowing practices.
- Help Your Teen Learn How to Budget and Save Money for College: Saving money and budgeting are hard skills to learn that take time and organization. Help your student build money management skills with these tips.
Supporting them throughout high school
- 5 Important Tools to Support Your Student During SAT Season: SAT prep is almost as stressful for parents as it is for students. This helpful advice can help you as you support them through this busy time.
- The Best Time to Get Your Student a Tutor, Plus Where to Find One: Admitting your student needs a tutor is step one in getting them the academic help they need. Here are the times to take note and places to look for a tutor.
- 10 Tips to Help Your Teen Transform Failing Grades Into Academic Success: Keeping grades up is hard, and students need an academically supportive environment. Here are some great tips to tackle bad grades together as a family.
- 4 Tools to Help Your Student Avoid Senioritis and Prepare for College: Slacking off senior year means risking admission and scholarships. Here are tools your student can use to stay sharp and get ready for college-level work.
- 4 Ways to Help Manage Your Teen's High School Stress: This may come as no surprise to parents, but teens experience excessive amounts of stress. Here are ways you can help them manage it during high school.
Sending them to college prepared
- Top 8 College Topics to Discuss With Your Student Today: Your student will be off to college soon, but there are some things they should know now. Here are eight topics of conversation to cover before they leave home.
- Success With Learning Differences: Important Services Offered in College: For parents of teens with learning disabilities, here's what you should know about the services colleges provide and what your student needs for support.
- How to Help Your Stressed Teen Choose a College Major: Choosing a college major is a stressful decision, especially if your student is uncertain. Here's some advice to help them find their academic path.
Coping with your feelings as a parent
- Coping With an Empty Nest: 5 Tips for New College Parents: Sending your student off to college can be a hard and emotional moment. From one parent to another, here are five tips for coping with a newly empty nest.
- How Can I Support My College Student From a Distance?: It’s hard letting your student go to college and feeling like you can't take care of them, but you can! Here's some advice on supporting your student from afar.
- A Guide to Letting Go: How to Cope When Your Teen Leaves for College: Letting go can be hard for parents. Here's some advice from a college insider if you're struggling with sending your student to college for the first time.
Do you have more questions about the college planning process that weren’t answered here? Reach out to suggest blog topics or questions you’d like to have answered by our experts!
