Checklist: College Planning

Things to do this weekend with your money

It’s time to review your plans for paying for college.

Get the FAFSA form. High school seniors who want help paying for college should fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, available at high schools, local libraries and the Department of Education’s Web site, www.ed.gov. Find out prospective colleges’ deadlines, usually in early February, for submitting the form.

Think before you borrow. Student loans can make an otherwise unattainable education a reality, but they also can saddle graduates with huge debt. Considering a less-expensive college or working part time can help reduce the need to borrow. For more information on student loans, visit www.wiredscholar.com.

Review your college tuition fund. As your kids near college age, invest more conservatively to make sure the money will be there when needed. To find out how much you need, use a college-savings calculator like that available from TIAA-CREF at www.tiaa-cref.org/tuition/savings.html .