subject: How To Get Your Kid Ready For College [print this page] Another semester will be starting in just a few short months, and after the fleeting summer, an entirely different school year. If you have a son or daughter preparing for college, then you are probably being flooded with a variety of emotions. You're proud, worried, anxious, and even a little relieved...
As time goes on, you will be able to deal with the bittersweet feeling that will invariably come with your child moving out of the house in an attempt to become a responsible adult. But some of the more frazzled feelings can be dealt with more immediately if you know how to adequately prepare.
One of the most important aspects of college preparation is having financial aid arrangements. To determine what government help your child qualifies for, s/he needs to file the Free Application for Student Aid--usually called by the acronym FAFSA.
You will need to assist them with this, as the government agency requires tax information from the parents of the student filing. The sooner this is done, the sooner your student will know about the types of aid they can receive, which can include loans, grants, and work-study programs.
The FAFSA does not provide any information about academic or sports-related scholarships (though you will most likely need to report them), so if your child has been offered one through the university they plan to attend or a third-party organization, you will want to get details on how that will factor into tuition payments or paying for books.
Start preparing for the big move sooner rather than later. If your son or daughter is going to reside in a dormitory, then find out about approved moving dates and new student orientation. Most dorms are quite small (mine was about the size of a refrigerator box), so your kid should start downsizing on his or her possessions.
Doing so is actually a great opportunity to make a little extra cash, which they can put toward their tuition or some dorm necessities. Selling video games, books, movies, and designer clothing can fetch a higher price than you might think.
A lot of teens might not like the prospect of thinning out their possessions, so be realistic, but not overly forceful. Get them to ask themselves, "Do I really need this? Am I really going to use this again?" If they say the answer is yes, then give them the benefit of the doubt and don't throw things out behind their backs.
Though this may be a tough time for you, the best way you can prepare your child is by being emotionally supportive. Your child will always be your child, no matter how grown up they are.
by: Art Gib
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