Timing is everything. Do not launch into this discussion when your parents walk through the door after a grueling workday, or right in the middle of clearing dinner plates while tempers are high.
Instead, schedule it. Say something like, "Can we sit down this weekend to talk about my graduation plans? I have done some research, and I would love to walk you through my ideas."
Read MoreThis is how we end up with the prestige trap. We focus on the brand name of the school and the title of the degree, ignoring the fact that the labor market has changed. In 2026, a degree is no longer a golden ticket—it’s a very expensive permission slip. If that permission slip doesn't lead to a high-ROI career, it’s just a decorative piece of paper.
Read More1. Thinking the "Unlimited" Bank is Still Open
The biggest mistake is assuming you can still borrow the "Cost of Attendance" (COA). Starting July 1, 2026, new Parent PLUS borrowers face hard limits: $20,000 per year and a $65,000 lifetime cap per dependent.
If your child’s "dream school" costs $60,000 a year and you were planning to borrow the $40,000 gap annually, the math no longer works. You’ll be $20,000 short every single year
Read MoreThe $24,5000 scholarship lineup
Read MoreWhat are students doing to take back their power in higher education?
Read MoreNaphtali received a scholarship for his own studies, and his college experience opened his eyes to the many ways the current system and student experience needs improving.
Read MoreNaphtali T. Bryant is a named Top 100 Leader in Education. He is the Founder and the CEO of Spark-ED University, a platform that helps students and their parents with college funding, scholarships, and career exploration.
