IN THIS TUTORIAL   The ABCs of Saving for College Figuring the cost Smart strategies With 18 Years to Go With Ten Years to Go With Five Years to Go With One Year to Go Last Minute Ways to Ease the Pain Winning the Financial Aid Game

SAVING FOR COLLEGE
Figuring the Cost

There's something a little out of whack when families secretly hope that their kids won't get into the college of their dreams.

But imagine the fear of two-income, middle-class parents with an overachieving son or daughter who wants to attend Harvard. The cost is staggering: The total for four years' tuition, room and board comes close to $154,000 for the 2002-2003 school year. If your Harvard-bound scholar is a newborn, expect the cost to soar 140% -- to $374,400 -- in 18 years.

Of course not all universities are as expensive as Harvard. You can use the cost calculator below for a quick estimate of what you could expect.

Need smelling salts?

Don't worry the good news is you probably won't have to foot the entire bill -- financial aid will help some. But the more you save now, the more options your students will have tomorrow.

The ABCs of Saving for College

Smart Strategies