Many parents may be paying more than they should for their child to go to college.
Mike Jones, a college financial consultant, has some advice that he says can help families spend less.
Jones says one important first step in paying less is to match the school with the student.
"Colleges are looking for a particular profile. For example, a school might be looking for a female engineering student and may offer a significant discount for that type of student," said Jones.
When choosing scholarships, Jones recommends narrowing your focus to local and regional ones to increase your chances.
"If you can learn about which ones to apply for so you'll get noticed, what essays to write, what person to use for references," said Jones.
Jones said one big mistake parents make is not talking to their kids about finances. He said it's important to talk about budget and what's within their reach.
"A lot of parents get themselves deep into debt and so do students," said Jones.
Another recommendation - college-bound kids should seek out scholarships where they work. You never know what might be available.
Jones also points out colleges may offer significant discounts to students with high GPA's and SAT scores.
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