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Talking about college can be intimidating for adults, too — especially if they don’t have college experience themselves. The good news is that thousands of families have successfully dealt with the same issues. Here are some ideas to get you going. | If your parents or guardians are worried about: | You can say: | | “Where will we get the money?” | If a college accepts me, it will work with us to provide financial aid. There are lots of financial aid options. Lack of money should not keep me from going to college. | | “Our family needs you to get a job and start earning money now.” | If I’m paying my own way through college, the family can get by on less money. And a college education is a good investment in the future. | | “I didn’t go to college, and I’m doing okay.” | Today’s job market is different. Now, most good jobs require a college degree. | | “You don’t have good enough grades to get into college.” | My counselors and teachers say I can do it. I can work during my senior year to raise my grades. Or I can attend community college for a year or two and then transfer to a four-year school. | | “I’ll miss you if you go away to college.” | Maybe I can attend a college here in DC. Or if I go away to school, we can always keep in touch with phone calls and e-mail. | | “I’m worried that I might lose my job, which means I couldn’t keep on providing our family’s share of the cost.” | Federal aid programs may take this into account. If we have a major change in circumstances, we should talk with the financial aid administrator as soon as possible. | | “How can you go to college and care for a child?” | Thousands of students do just that every year. Many colleges today have child care and other programs that support students with children. |
 Other tips for a successful conversation:
- Get it going as soon as possible. The sooner you start, the easier it will be to get everything lined up: academics, money, and other kinds of support. But if you’ve put it off until senior year, don’t give up. There’s still time, and you still have options.
- Make it a family project. Get everyone on board by talking about what your college education will mean to your family. Make a checklist of things you need to do to get there, and keep it in a prominent place, so that everyone can feel part of your progress.
- Listen as well as talk. You’re making a big decision, and your family is bound to have some concerns. Get all their questions out on the table, so you can deal with them.
- Make a plan. When you know what the issues are, you can find the resources and strategies to bring them down to size.
- Get help from siblings, other relatives and/or family friends. Have them talk to your parents or guardians, too.
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