Insider tips for the week of April 1, 2019

How to help your teen be college-ready – Being admitted to college doesn’t mean a student is ready for it. Check out this important read from the New York Times, which explains how parents can encourage kids to step up their levels of personal responsibility while still in high school.

Top 5 mistakes in making the final college decision – Deciding on what college to attend is a life-altering decision, and College Factual has compiled the key mistakes to avoid while doing so. My favorite: Not considering the strength of the specific program you plan to go into at each institution

How much are you as a parent going to take out in loans? – The Brookings Institute shines the light on the growing issue of parents taking out bigger loans to pay for their child’s education and the fact that many are struggling to repay. Parent PLUS loans, which allow you to borrow up to the cost of the school minus other financial aid received, should only be used as a last resort. Take a minute to scan this important info.

What to do when your expected family contribution (EFC) is too high – Wendy Nelson writes about your options if your EFC is too high to be affordable for your family.