4. Cast a Wide Net

Forbes: 10 Ways to Pay for College Right Now

Applying to plenty of schools means a better chance of getting into more than one; getting into more than one translates to a higher likelihood of receiving a big financial aid package.
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10 Ways to Pay f... Even if you didn't save, the education you’ve been hoping to provide for your children is within reach—provided there’s some pragmatic financial planning involved. Sometimes, the hardest part is simply knowing where to begin. Here a some tips.
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1. Apply for Fin... Even if you don’t think you'll qualify, fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form. You may be pleasantly surprised with the result.
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2. Apply for Nat... Options include Pell Grants, Academic Competitiveness Grants and National SMART Grants; your child's guidance counselor can you find others.
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3. Apply for Loc... Civic organizations and religious institutions often have meaningful amounts of aid to dole out.
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4. Cast a Wide N... Applying to plenty of schools means a better chance of getting into more than one; getting into more than one translates to a higher likelihood of receiving a big financial aid package.
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More From Forbes:
America's Most Expensive Colleges
Best Research Universities
Best Liberal Arts Colleges

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5. Bargain Even schools that only provide need-based aid sometimes come up with drastically different offers. If you have more than one package on the table, you may be able to negotiate a better deal at your top choice college.
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6. Find an Offic... AmeriCorps, Peace Corp, National Health Services Corps and ROTC programs offer college money in exchange for a service commitment.
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7. Look Abroad Tuition and fees at U.S. private four-year colleges and universities now averages $27,293. At Scotland’s St. Andrews, the alma mater of Britain’s Prince William and wife Kate, U.S. students pay only $21,650; Canada's McGill University charges just $17,400 for Americans studying for a B.A.
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8. Live at Home Starting out at a low-cost community college and transferring to a four-year college for the final two years will wipe away a hefty chunk of room and board costs, as well as some tuition.
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9. Tax Tricks The American Opportunity Tax Credit and the Lifetime Learning Credit are two excellent options.
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10. Ask a Guidan... Don't forget to consult your local expert -- guidance counselors are often aware of options you may not have considered; best of all, their help is free.
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America's Most Expensive Colleges
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