Checklists

College is a time where young adults go off into the “real world” and begin to become adults. There are many skills that we assume these young adults have, but they may not know how to apply them in their own environment. These skills may seem obvious to us, but in order to set our […]

While your child may be eager to visit colleges to check out the dorms, the study and athletic facilities, the food and the social atmosphere, what shouldn't be overlooked is the level of security provided on campus. Most high school students would not rate this as one of their primary concerns when considering which college to attend, which is why it is often up to their parents to ask important questions about the safety of where their children may be spending the next several years.

   You may not get a ton of time with a college admissions rep, but an inquisitive approach is your best chance to find out if a school’s characteristics will be a good fit for you and your college career. Below is a list of topics that can get you asking the right questions. Should you need this in question format, we suggest the following lists:

  The Government Accountability Office (GAO) recently released a report regarding 529 Plans. 529 Plans are widely-accessible savings plans that parents can use to contribute to future college expenses. Citing difficulty for many to pay for college (largely due to rapid increases in college costs), the GAO decided to look at the value and use of 529 Plans, which receive certain tax preferences--$1.6 Billion in 2011 alone. 

   a blog post by College Board's financial aid expert, Susan McCrackin. Wondering if you should file the FAFSA? Let this College Board infographic help you.------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ It’s time. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is how millions of students apply for federal, state and most college-based financial aid. And because government grants compose 74 percent of this $185 billion pool, it’s understandable for families to feel anxious when filling out the FAFSA. It doesn’t have to be that way. Susan McCrackin, Senior Director Financial Aid Methodology at the College Board, offers this eight-step map to help parents and students work through the FAFSA as efficiently and effectively as possible.

(photo by user 401(K) 2013 on flickr) 

Whether your student is a freshman or a senior, it is important to keep track of important dates throughout each semester. Keep your dates organized by downloading the College Parents of America Academic Year Calendar Checklist.

Although young people are generally healthy, accidents can happen. Help keep your student safe and healthy by keeping yourself and your student organized by downloading this is College Parents of America Health and Medical Information Checklist.

If your student is anything like most college students, he has a lot of stuff. How much is your student's property worth? What if your student's things were to be lost, stolen or damage? Could you afford to replace them? By downloading the College Parents of America Student Personal Property Checklist, you and your student can take inventory and make an estimate that can help you determine whether your student's belongings need protection.

College can be a huge investment. Is yours protected? With the College Parents of America Protecting Your Investment Checklist, you can assess your investment and determine your risk factor should your ability to pay be compromised. By downloading this checklist, you and your family can decide if tuition protection is suitable for you.

While it's natural to worry about your student's safety when she is away at school, you can help her be prepared and knowledgeable by downloading the College Parents of America Campus Security Checklist and reviewing campus resources available to your student.

New Year is often the time for new beginnings.  Fortunately, for college students, the new year also often brings a new semester with its fresh start as well.  We offer here 10 New Year’s resolutions for college parents and 10 resolutions for you to pass on to your college student.  Enjoy your fresh start – and make this a great year for you and your college student!

College kids may be young and fearless, but that doesn't mean they're immune to illness, theft or even lawsuits. To be sure, student insurance coverage is as important a decision to make as course curriculum and perhaps a monthly allowance. But what types of insurance do your children need?

My travels with College Parents of America haven’t yet brought me to all fifty states, but I’ve had the pleasure of communicating with each of you – who are scattered among all of our states – and of learning the idiosyncrasies related to education in each of your locales. There is much to improve, of course, but also much to celebrate.And what better time than the 4th of July to share with you 25 reasons to celebrate education across America?