It's no secret that the cost of advanced education can be very steep. The average annual tuition cost alone at a four-year private institution in 2008-2009 was $25,143, according to the College Board.

Annual tuition at a four-year public institution averaged $6,585 for in-state residents. Furthermore, tuition costs have been rising faster than inflation rates.

Careful planning, even if your child is getting close to college age, can whittle some of the costs down to a manageable size.

• Planning for the Costs of Higher Education Brochure (PDF | 12.8MB)
• College Savings Checklist (PDF | 225KB)
• Planning for the Costs of Education Webinar

Funding

• +studentaid.com College Cost & Planning Report™: Get a 10 percent discount when ordering this report from the Financial Planning Association®!
• Start Saving Now
• College Prices Rise with Inflation 
• Money Saving Tips for College 
• Funding Private Day and Boarding Schools
• Preparing for College Tuition? Learn More about 529 Plans
• Can Roth IRA's be used for qualified education expenses?

Financial Aid

• Financial Aid
• Headed for College? Whether It's You or Your Kid, It's Time to Check the Rules on Financial Aid
• How to Complete: Free Application for Federal Student Aid
• What advice do you have for students who want to create a budget and pay their student loans?
• Should I claim my daughter on my taxes, or should she claim herself? What is better?
• How can I find my daughter a loan for college without cosigning?
• Will my investments affect my son receiving grants for college?

Investment

• Investment Choices
• Preparing for College Tuition? Learn More about 529 Plans
• What Investments are Best When Saving for College (Mp3)

Additional Resources

• Get Your Student Off to the Right Financial Start at College
• Teach Your Children About Finances
• Graduating? Learn Good Money Habits to Start on the Right Path
• Back to school? How can you decide?
• Heading Off to College? Build Good Money Habits
• Student on Medical Leave? Keep Your Health Plan
• The Financial Checklist for Parents Sending Children to College
• Are You on Course to Send Your Children to College? (PDF | 25KB)
• How a Financial Planner Can Help You ... And How to Choose the Right One Brochure (PDF | 640KB)