hen it comes to higher education, students aren't the only ones who need to prepare diligently. According to The College Board, a not-for-profit association, tuition at a four-year public university increased by 4.4 percent from the 1999/2000 to the 2000/2001 school year, and the increase at a four-year private university rose by 5.2 percent over the same period. With college costs outpacing inflation, developing a strategy to pay for escalating costs is crucial.

High marks for saving
Getting an early start on saving and investing for a college education is important. One strategy is to start saving when your child first starts school and making regular contributions every time your child brings home a report card. This is an easy way to monitor your child's academic achievements along with your own financial progress. Even if you start saving after the first year in school, you can still accumulate a sizable amount by the time high school graduation arrives.

An educated guess
Estimating how much you'll need to save depends on many variables, such as college choice, if your child will qualify for any grants, loans or scholarships, and other factors. For a better idea of how much you'll need, visit The College Board Web site at www.collegeboard.com for estimates. The Web site also has valuable advice on taking college entrance exams, evaluating schools, applying for financial aid and much more.

Helpful guidance
Learn more about your investing options at the Investment Center at your local LaSalle branch, or call 888-LFS-1200. A Financial Services professional can discuss your financial time frame and suggest a strategy to help you reach your goal.