Top 529 plans from Kiplinger

529 plan, Coverdell Account,  Custodial accounts and IRA info at Upromise

529 College Saving Plan and comparison with other options at 
T. Rowe Price

College Planning Information from 
T. Rowe Price

Caveat Emptor!

Some 529 plans have much higher expenses than the 1.1% average, some carry front-end loads too!
 

   Find out four- five- six- year college graduation rates at College Results
   Online (collegeresults.org). 

2. Financial Aid: Some ways to increase your chances by contributing more 
    towards your 401(k), deferring income, postpone converting traditional
    IRA to a Roth IRA.

    Financial aid strategies from Money
   
    Get the application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at fafsa.ed.gov. 
    Apply electronically and in early January. 

    Scholarships info at  FastWeb 

    Tip: Go to the collegeboard.com website, type in the name of the college,
    then choose the 'cost and financial aid' link to get stats of merit awards and
    need-based aid the institution hands out
     
    Use decoder button at financialaidletter.com

3.  Sources of loans:
     Loans for students: Perkins loans, Direct Subsidized Stafford Loans, Direct
     unsubsidized Stafford Loans
     Loans for parents: Home Equity loans, Direct PLUS loans,  
     Non profit lenders at efc.org

     Compare loans at simpletuition.com, myrichuncle.com
     Other: discoverstudentloans.com, chasestudentloans.com

4. Compare the 4 college saving tools 

      a) 529 plan
      b) Coverdell Account
      c) Custodial accounts (UGMA/UTMA) and
      d) IRA's
      e) Prepaid plans (like Michigan's MET)
      g) I-Bonds

     for 

     a) tax advantages
     b) investment choices 
     c) flexibility in using the funds
     d) how it affects college aid
     e) expenses and performance
     f) age restrictions
     g) income limits
     h) ownership/change beneficiary

      See info at Upromise

5.    Other online resources below.
      College Aid:  finaid.org
      College Help: studentaid.ed.gov, wiredscholar.com
      529 plans:  savingforcollege.com
      Research: Embark
      Campustours: Campustours.com
      Rebates: Upromise (rebate towards 529 plan)
      Peer-to-peer college loans: greennote.com, fynanz.com
      Other:collegesolutionblog.com

6. Textbooks:  
     Varsity, Cheapesttextbooks, Textbooks, Amazon, Barnes & Noble
     Compare at: Bigwords.com, BestBookBuys or Cheapestbookprice  
     Used: Amazon or half.com  
     Rent: Chegg.com,  Bookrenter.com
     Swap: Swapbooks.com