Keith, be sure and do as much research as possible on college financial help, Grants, Tops programs, local, regional, and state funding, If possible check with first year students at the school where she plans to attend, get with the counselors there and see if they offer anything. We were in the same boat year before last. So far My step-daughter has gotten 100% of all her college paid for without having to pay anything back. She did have to buy a computer, and some books but even that was partially paid by the grants and additional funding. Lindsey has even put a good bit back in the savings account from some of the funding to have for next year. She's going to nursing school and we figured it was going to be quite costly, so far, Not near as bad as we originally thought. There are many many different programs out there to look into. many grants that don't have to be paid back BUT you have to do some digging to find them, they aren't publicly advertised. Does your state have a state lottery program, if so check and see if they offer any assistance. SOME states offer programs through the lottery if you stay with a in state school. I know in Georgia if you have lived in the state at least one year before starting the college and you stay with a Ga. state college they fund up to 100% of the tuition and books, here they don't cover dorm but with her going to college here at SLU and Delgado she doesn't need a dorm and that is a big expense that we didn't have to pay for. Now she may need to when she gets her final degree due to she may have to take some courses out of state but by that time hopefully she'll have enough saved up to cover most of that. Good luck!
