If you have one or more children in middle school you should already be planning how to pay for their college education. Don't assume they will get a full-ride scholarship because you think they are so bright. Don't assume they will get an athletic scholarship.

Sit down with them and determine what career they want to pursue (don't bank on CEO or brain surgeon). Go on line and find out the huge variety of specialties there are in a field they are interested in. Specialization is where the jobs will be and the best qualified wins.

Keep on them to do well in school. Are they doing their homework? Can they read, write, and do arithmetic? Don't take their word for it. Test them. Talk to their teachers. How well did they do on their MEAPS?

The teacher is not your child's enemy and will give you an honest evaluation of how the student is or isn't doing.

Community College is a good alternative to a University for many young people. Everyone does not need a four-year degree: they need to show evidence that they are ready to step into the work force.

Look into the costs: they will be higher when your children go. The reason is that so many fields require upgraded computer-related tools that will be essential to the field. In popular fields professors can get more than twice the salary in industry as in teaching, with a lot let hassel.

Start saving now. Put regular deposits in insured accounts. Have the child contribute regularly; even a dollar a week for ten years will help. If money is tight tell the child that the money that might have gone into a fancy car is going toward education.

Your children are worth the planning and sacrifice.