 TITLE: Should Parents Pay for College? CONTENT: Review Your Credit\n------------------\nMost federal student loans don't require a credit check, but parent PLUS loans do, and having adverse credit history could affect your ability to get approved. StudentAid.gov defines adverse credit history as \"a record of poor repayment history on one or more loans or credit cards.\"\nIf you're not sure where your credit stands, you can pull your Experian credit score and report for free. Taking steps to improve your credit could help you get approved for federal student loans and get the best rate possible on private student loans.\nPutting aside money (even late in the game) can help you pay some of the bills and avoid borrowing more than you can easily afford to pay back. Scholarships can also offset the cost of school, and staying in-state can help you save on tuition. Whether college is around the corner or several years from now, it's worth discussing with your student now how much of their education cost, if anything, you plan to cover. Let them know what you can afford to pay and what you feel comfortable borrowing so you can come up with a plan together. END