Step #1: Make the Decision

While the decision to attend college belongs to your teenager, your role plays a huge part in whether or not this is the path he will take. You guide your teenager through his childhood into adulthood making suggestions and helping with decisions along the way. If you want your teen to go to college, chances are he or she is going to college.

Because this is a major decision, start by taking some reflection time, then talk to your teen. You may also want to take this Is Your Teen Ready for College? quiz. It will give you an overview of what your teenager will need to be able to do by the time he attends college.

Why Go to College?

If you are uncertain about going to college or if you just need some reassurance that you're on the right track, here are a few reasons to go to college:

• Every bit of education you get after high school increases the chances you'll earn good pay. Most college graduates earn a lot more money during their working years than people who stop their education after high school graduation.
• Besides good pay, the more education you get the more likely it is you will always have a job. According to one estimate, by the year 2028 there will be 19 million more jobs for educated workers than there are qualified people to fill them.
• Continuing education after high school is much more important for your generation than it was for your parents' generation. Today, most good jobs require more than a high school diploma. Businesses want to hire people who know how to think and solve problems.
• Education beyond high school gives you a lot of other benefits, such as meeting new people, taking part in new opportunities to discover and explore your interests, and experiencing success.