It’s almost back-to-school time. But someday, “back-to-school” will mean “off to college” – and college can be expensive. You need to look for every opportunity available to help your kids with those sizable college bills.  For starters, think about financial aid at least a year before your child or grandchild is going to start school. The main federal financial aid application is usually open on October 1 for the following school year.

Also, look everywhere for scholarships. Find out what’s offered from religious, ethnic or community organizations, local businesses and civic groups. And you can find a great deal of scholarship information on the web sites of the U.S. Departments of Education and Labor.

One more suggestion: Don’t forget about community colleges – they’re an affordable way for students to get a lot of college credits before transferring to a four-year school.

A financial professional can help you establish an overall strategy to pay for college. By being proactive and having a plan in place, you can go a long way toward coping with the high costs of higher education.

If you have any questions please contact me at 980-859-2549 or by e-mail at Brandon.Monette@edwardjones.com

This article was written by Edward Jones for use by your local Edward Jones Financial Advisor.