Freshman Finance 101

Here's what college students need to know about managing money -- and how parents can help.

You thought you were finished with the college bills when you figured out how to pay the tuition. But you hadn't reckoned on buying the microwave, the mini-refrigerator and, of course, those extra-long sheets.

Once your kids head off to school, you may face other financial emergencies. What if they get sick, lose the laptop or overdraw their checking account? Here's how to handle those situations with a minimum of pain to your pocketbook, and your child's.

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A College Checklist for Parents

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For advice on paying for college ...

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Free Money for Grad School

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Plus ...

Test Your Knowledge of Financial Aid

Applying for financial aid can seem as daunting as taking college-entrance exams. Whether you're a parent or a college-bound student, our quiz will help you understand the process better.

Jane Bennett Clark
Senior Editor, Kiplinger's Personal Finance
The late Jane Bennett Clark, who passed away in March 2017, covered all facets of retirement and wrote a bimonthly column that took a fresh, sometimes provocative look at ways to approach life after a career. She also oversaw the annual Kiplinger rankings for best values in public and private colleges and universities and spearheaded the annual "Best Cities" feature. Clark graduated from Northwestern University.