Five Things Parents Need to Know About Going to College

1.  Feel empowered: use google and social media to do research to stay informed. Twitter hashtags: #finaid, #scholarships, #collegeprep, #payingforcollege, #senior year, #ACT, #ACTprep
Twitter accounts to follow/ websites: StepUp Utah, College_Experts, ScholarshipGuru, 4collegeparents, USATodayCollege, UHEAA

2.  Start now:  It's never too early to start-
1)talking about college
2)Savings for college
3)Planning for college.

3.  Look beyond your own backyard:  We don't talk much about "fit" in Utah, but we should.  Rural or Urban?  Size, Major Offerings? Campus environment?

4.  Talk to your child about college:
Middle School- talk about your dreams, goals and how college fits into that.
High School- be honest about your expectations.
College- expectations, time, money, activities.
Also- how to do laundry, cook a couple of things, how to manage money

5.  Deadlines matter.