Sending a kid to college: the money checklist.

Compare net price, not sticker price

Every school publishes a net price calculator estimating what your family actually pays after aid. A $70,000 sticker school sometimes costs less than a $30,000 one.

Plan the 529 withdrawal order

Withdrawals must match qualified expenses in the same tax year, and expenses paid with 529 money can't also back a tax credit. Many families pay some tuition out of pocket to preserve the credit.

Take federal student loans before private ones

Federal loans carry fixed rates, income-driven repayment, and hardship protections that private loans mostly lack. Exhaust the federal limit first, every year.

Claim the education tax credits

The American Opportunity Tax Credit is worth up to $2,500 per student per year for four years, and part of it is refundable. Income limits apply, so check where you land.

Appeal the aid offer if circumstances changed

A job loss, medical bills, or a divorce since the FAFSA was filed are grounds for a professional judgment review. Schools adjust offers more often than families ask.

Set the borrowing ceiling before the acceptance letters

A common rule of thumb: total student debt below the expected first-year salary. Deciding the ceiling in advance keeps an April acceptance from overriding the math.

Budget the non-tuition costs

Housing, meal plans, books, travel home, and fees add thousands per year beyond tuition. They're also where the surprise overruns live. Put real numbers on them.