The Wells Fargo Community: Making College Financial Planning A Little Less Scary

For most parents, the thought of planning for their kids’ years in college is extremely daunting. It doesn’t have the feel of “just another milestone” in our children’s lives, perhaps because there are major bucks attached to the decision. The cost of college can be right up there with the cost of purchasing a house, and even if the parents and the student share the expense and there are scholarships involved, a bit of trepidation is totally normal.

The cost of full-time enrollment at college ranges widely, from a couple thousand dollars per year at a community college to–are you sitting down?–SIXTY THOUSAND DOLLARS per year* (includes room and board) at the most expensive colleges in the United States. Yikes.

The best way to get through it all varies according to the individual. I am very detail-oriented and I love to research, which is why the college search, including the financial stuff, for my kids was exciting. I don’t have a problem digging in and trying to find my own answers.

I know lots of people whose kids have approached (or are approaching) their junior year in high school–which is traditionally when the college search kicks in, full throttle–and feel like they’ve been tossed overboard without a life preserver.

Regardless of which camp you belong to, the Wells Fargo Community can provide some extra assistance. WellsFargoCommunity.com is a free online community that brings students, parents, guidance counselors, and financial advisors together, so you can get a variety of perspectives about college planning. For those of us who like to dig really deep to find answers and as much information as humanly possible, it’s great. For those who are a little scared and overwhelmed about the process? Also great. Participating in the community is like getting advice from a bunch of good friends. There’s a flipside, too. Being involved in the Wells Fargo Community means that eventually, the newbies will become the seasoned experts.

Just knowing where to go with questions can provide a little relief in the stress department, so here’s your help. Grab a cup of tea, put up your feet, and check out the Wells Fargo Community. Before you know it, high school graduation day will be here and you’ll enjoy it not only because of your kid’s accomplishment, but also because you’ll have a plan in place for his future.

*In June I wrote two posts, HERE and HERE about the college search and how price shouldn’t be a deterrent, though, due to many private colleges offering enough scholarships to qualified students, via merit and/or financial need, to bring the cost way, way down.

For more information about the Wells Fargo Community, please visit Wells Fargo Community’s site. I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls Collective, and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own. #WFCommunity #spon