How to Create a College Readiness Plan?

msshymika7
2 days ago
2 min read

Part 3: Who is Paying for College?

In our How to Create a College Readiness Plan newsletter series, we focus on helping families prepare early for colleg academically and financially.

One major question we hear often is: Who is paying for college?

According to Sallie Mae, 89% of families contribute to their child’s college tuition, which often leads to:

Financial strain on the household
Unexpected costs like books and personal expenses
Families taking on additional loans

The good news? There are free ways to start preparing early.

3 FREE Ways to Prepare to Pay for College

1. Learn the FAFSA & Financial Aid Process

The FAFSA is completed every year a student is in college and determines how much financial aid they can receive. Understanding the process early helps families make smarter financial decisions.

2. Use Exams to Earn Scholarships & Credits

PSAT: National Merit qualifying exam with scholarship opportunities as early as sophomore year of high school.
SAT & ACT: Many colleges offer automatic merit-based scholarships
CLEP: Earn college credit by passing subject-area exams—saving time and money

3. Apply for Scholarships—Strategically

Only 40% of students apply for scholarships, often due to a lack of guidance or accountability. At PreCollege Solutions, 80% of our clients earn at least $5,000 or more in scholarships. We would love to have your high school student as a client. Book our FREE Consultation!

Need Help Getting Started?

PreCollege Solutions created Parent College Readiness Checklists for each high school level—available to email subscribers for $5 (price increases February 1, 2026):