A timeline-based guide for parents supporting their teenager through the college preparation process, from savings and campus visits to applications, financial aid, and the emotional transition of letting go.
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Financial Savings Review
Review your 529 plan balance and contribution history
The average 529 plan balance is about $27,000, which covers roughly 1 year of in-state public university tuition. If you started contributing $200/month at birth, you would have approximately $75,000-90,000 by age 18 depending on returns.
Calculate the gap between savings and estimated total college costs
Average 4-year costs: $22,000/year for in-state public, $40,000/year for out-of-state public, and $55,000/year for private universities (2024 figures). Multiply by 4 and subtract your savings to see what needs to come from financial aid, scholarships, or income.
Research merit-based scholarships at schools your teen is considering
Many schools offer automatic merit scholarships based on GPA and test scores. A student with a 3.8 GPA might receive $5,000-20,000 per year from a school where they are above the median applicant. Check each school's scholarship page for specific thresholds.
Discuss realistic family contribution expectations with your teen
Having an honest conversation about budget prevents heartbreak later. If you can contribute $15,000/year, say so clearly. Your teen can then focus on schools where that amount plus aid covers the costs, rather than falling in love with a school you cannot afford.
College Visit Planning (Junior Year)
Create a list of 8-12 schools across three tiers: reach, match, and safety
Aim for 2-3 reach schools (acceptance rate below student's profile), 4-5 match schools (acceptance aligns with profile), and 2-3 safety schools (highly likely admission). Check each school's middle 50% GPA and test score range on their admissions page.
Visit 4-6 campuses during junior year, ideally while classes are in session
Visiting when students are on campus gives the most accurate feel. Schedule official tours and information sessions through the admissions office. A Tuesday or Wednesday visit during fall semester shows the campus at its most typical.
Have your teen attend at least one class and eat in the dining hall during visits
Sitting in a real class for 50 minutes tells your teen more about academic culture than any brochure. Most admissions offices can arrange a class visit with 1-2 weeks notice. Eating in the dining hall gives a sense of student life and food quality.
Take notes and photos at each school for comparison later
After visiting 5+ schools, they start to blur together. Create a simple comparison sheet with categories: academics, campus feel, location, size, cost, and gut feeling. Rate each school 1-5 in each category right after the visit while impressions are fresh.
Test Prep Timeline
Take a practice SAT or ACT in sophomore spring to establish a baseline
Free practice tests are available from the College Board (SAT) and ACT websites. A baseline score helps you determine how much preparation is needed. The average improvement with 20-40 hours of dedicated study is 60-100 points on the SAT.
Begin focused test prep 3-4 months before the target test date
Self-study with official practice materials is free and effective for motivated students. Tutoring costs $40-200 per hour and prep courses run $300-2,000. Most students see their best scores on the second or third attempt, so plan for 2 test dates.
Register for the SAT or ACT by junior fall, with a second attempt in spring
The SAT costs $60 and the ACT costs $68 (fee waivers available for low-income families). Register 6 weeks before the test date to guarantee a nearby testing center. Many schools accept the highest section scores across multiple test dates (superscoring).
Research test-optional schools if scores do not reflect your teen's abilities
Over 1,800 schools are currently test-optional. If your teen's GPA is strong but test scores are below a school's median range, applying test-optional can strengthen the application. Check each school's policy since some have returned to requiring scores.
Application Timeline (Senior Year)
Finalize the school list and note each deadline: Early Action, Early Decision, Regular
Early Decision (binding, usually Nov 1-15) acceptance rates are often 10-20% higher than regular decision. Early Action (non-binding, usually Nov 1-15) gives an answer by mid-December. Regular Decision deadlines cluster around Jan 1-15.
Request letters of recommendation from teachers by early October
Ask 2-3 teachers who know your teen well, ideally from junior year core subjects. Give them at least 4-6 weeks notice and provide a resume or brag sheet listing activities, awards, and goals. Popular teachers may decline if asked too late.
Support essay writing without taking over: read, ask questions, do not rewrite
The personal essay should sound like your 17-year-old, not a polished adult writer. Your role is to ask clarifying questions ('What did that experience teach you?') and check for typos. Admissions readers can detect parent-written essays, and it hurts the application.
Submit applications at least 3 days before each deadline
Technical issues, server crashes, and payment processing errors happen on deadline day. Submitting early eliminates last-minute panic. Set calendar reminders for 1 week and 3 days before each deadline as checkpoints.
Financial Aid (FAFSA and Beyond)
Complete the FAFSA as soon as it opens on October 1
Some state and institutional aid is first-come, first-served, so filing in October or November gives you the best chance at maximum aid. You need your prior-prior year tax return (2 years before the school year). The FAFSA takes 30-60 minutes if you have documents ready.
Submit the CSS Profile if required by any schools on your list
About 200 schools require the CSS Profile in addition to the FAFSA. It costs $25 for the first school and $16 for each additional school (fee waivers available). It asks more detailed financial questions and is used primarily by private universities.
Compare financial aid award letters carefully using net cost, not sticker price
The net cost is sticker price minus grants and scholarships (free money). Ignore loans in the comparison since those are debt, not aid. A $60,000 school offering $45,000 in grants costs $15,000, which may be less than a $25,000 state school offering $5,000 in grants.
Appeal financial aid offers if your circumstances have changed or a competing offer is stronger
About 25-30% of families who appeal receive additional aid. Write a polite letter to the financial aid office explaining any special circumstances (job loss, medical expenses) or providing a competing school's offer. Include documentation.
Emotional Preparation
Let your teen lead the process while you provide guidance and structure
Seniors who own their college process are more likely to thrive once on campus. Resist the urge to manage every detail. Your job is to keep the calendar, ask about deadlines, and be available when they ask for help.
Prepare for rejection as a normal part of the process
Even students with perfect grades get rejected from selective schools. Acceptance rates at top schools are 3-12%, meaning most qualified applicants do not get in. Focus on finding a school that fits rather than chasing prestige.
Start planning for your own adjustment to an emptier household
Research shows the emotional impact of a child leaving for college peaks 1-2 months before departure and eases after the first semester. Reconnect with hobbies, friendships, and your partner. This transition is a chance to rediscover parts of your identity beyond parenting.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should parents start saving for college?
As early as possible — even small monthly contributions add up significantly with compound growth. A 529 plan opened at birth with $100/month contributions at a 7% average return would grow to approximately $44,000 by age 18. Starting the same contributions at age 10 yields only about $16,000. All 50 states offer 529 plans with tax-free growth for education expenses. If the child receives scholarships, unused 529 funds can be transferred to a sibling, used for graduate school, or rolled into a Roth IRA (up to $35,000 under current law).
How much does college actually cost in 2024?
Average published costs for 2024-2025: in-state public university runs about $11,260/year for tuition and fees ($24,000-$30,000 with room and board), out-of-state public university is about $23,630/year for tuition and fees ($40,000-$48,000 total), and private universities average $42,162/year for tuition and fees ($58,000-$65,000 total). However, the actual amount families pay is often 30-50% less after grants and scholarships. The average net price at private universities is about $28,000-$33,000 per year.
What is the FAFSA and when should you file it?
The FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) determines eligibility for federal grants, loans, and work-study programs. It opened December 31 for the 2025-2026 school year (though the timeline was previously October 1 and may shift again). File as close to the opening date as possible — some state and institutional aid is first-come, first-served. You will need your Social Security number, tax returns (or IRS data retrieval tool), bank statements, and investment records. The FAFSA takes 30-60 minutes to complete.
How do you help your teenager choose the right college?
Start with practical filters: location preference (close to home or farther away), size (small colleges with 1,000-5,000 students vs. large universities with 20,000+), cost (what your family can realistically afford), and available majors. Visit 3-5 campuses in person if possible — students who visit before committing are more likely to stay enrolled. Attend admitted students days, eat in the dining hall, and sit in on a class. Rankings matter far less than fit: 75% of students who transfer cite "wrong fit" rather than academic quality.
What role should parents play during the college application process?
Be a project manager, not a ghostwriter. Help your teen create a timeline and track deadlines (most applications are due between November 1 and January 15), proofread essays for grammar but do not rewrite them, attend financial aid information sessions, and schedule campus visits. Do not write their essays, make the final school choice for them, or contact admissions offices on their behalf. Colleges can tell when a parent wrote the essay, and it hurts the application. About 30% of admissions officers report receiving communications from overly involved parents that negatively impact their impression.