Coming up with the resources to pay for college can be a daunting task. However, it is about resources, not just money. Resources include preparing well for what colleges and universities look for in students they will offer scholarships to. This includes community service opportunities, evidence of scholarly work in school and through extracurricular activities, and what types of extracurricular activities you’re most involved in. Taking advantage of leadership opportunities and being able to demonstrate your leadership is also important. In addition to scholarships given by universities themselves, there are many other opportunities to get scholarships through private organizations. Working with organizations like Georgia 4-H and your school counselors can help you identify what universities are looking for.

There are also other approaches to college. Starting off at a community college and living at home can save a lot of expenses upfront while getting required courses out of the way. Many high school programs now offer opportunities to complete an associate’s degree while working on your high school diploma. These options can save thousands of dollars and reduce the amount of money you borrow. In some cases, it puts paying for college in full during the first two years within reach.

There are many financial products that can help with saving for college. Many of these need to be started when kids are very young. One idea is to as family and friends to contribute to a college fund for the first few years of birthdays and celebrations of a child’s life. Young children aren’t going to remember much of their first gifts in life. Encouraging family members to give financial gifts for education funds when children are young can have a major payoff later. Identifying appropriate financial planners to help determine the best financial products for college savings is very important. Some families may want to opt for financial products that aren’t education specific so there is more flexibility with those funds later if their kids end up with full scholarships.

Here’s the bottom line… if you want to invest in higher education for yourself or your kids you have to plan, start early, and find some creative solutions.