Get Your Freshman Financially Ready for College

My daughter starts kindergarten August 6, which is a big step for any child -- and parent.

My daughter starts kindergarten August 6, which is a big step for any child -- and parent. As difficult as it may be to send my child to school for the first time, I have it easy compared with parents who are sending kids off to college this fall for the first time.

I just have to make sure my daughter's backpack is filled with crayons, glue sticks and tissue. And I had to teach her four-digit code she has to use to "buy" lunch at school. Parents of college freshmen have a lot more they need to do to make sure their child is prepared. So I dug up advice from Kiplinger's kids and money expert, Janet Bodnar. Janet is editor of Kiplinger's Personal Finance magazine, writes our Money Smart Kids column and is author of Raising Money Smart Kids. Below you'll find her tips on how to talk to your freshman about handling his or her finances in college.

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Cameron Huddleston
Former Online Editor, Kiplinger.com

Award-winning journalist, speaker, family finance expert, and author of Mom and Dad, We Need to Talk.

Cameron Huddleston wrote the daily "Kip Tips" column for Kiplinger.com. She joined Kiplinger in 2001 after graduating from American University with an MA in economic journalism.