The fact that you're reading this page probably is an indication that you are seeking help regarding the financial needs for college. That's great that you're seeking help. Most financial aid discussions begin with a visit to the school's financial aid office. Unfortunately, it usually ends there.

And that's where I made my biggest mistake. More often than not, the financial aid offices on most college campuses will almost immediately direct you to some form of student loan. Most books on financing college will speak of college loans like it's free money or they go so far as to call it "good debt".

I'm here to tell you that there is no such thing as "good debt", because all debt by definition has to be paid back.

You can think about that when you graduate and you have just purchased a new car and you've moved into a better apartment in a great location. You can think about it when you've just bought a new wardrobe for that new job, so you wont continue to look like a college bum. Or, in my case, years after graduating college and you're buying a house.

If you borrow, you have to pay it back!

I'm not completely opposed to borrowing, but it should be considered a last resort and not your first option. Rather than starting your search for financing college at the college you hope to be attending, I'm going to suggest that you visit your local library, and also start with the people who create all those wonderful SAT, GRE, ACT and other standardized tests, the Princeton Review.

Did you know that nearly all grants and scholarships require some type of written essay? Neither did I, until I started studying how to earn scholarships for my kids. Visit your local library and borrow some books on the subject of essays. Hey, don't just write essays for your kids either, help them learn to become better writers, because nearly every facit of business requires some degree of writing skill.

And, last but not least, visit our "resource links" page. There are dozens of great sites on the web that can help. Nearly all of them want you to buy their books or use their services, but you can use your good judgement as to where you want to spend your money. But, never and I mean never, pay to view a database or join a service. There's too much free information out there for you to squander your money on questionable subscriptions!