Issue link: http://www.insightdigital.biz/i/320427
w w w . i n s i g h t o n b u s i n e s s . c o m J u n e 2 0 14 • I nsIgh t | 31 i n s i g h t o n H i g H e r eDUCATiON B y M a r y B e t h M a t z e k F or high school students deciding on a college, figuring out how to pay for it is almost as big of a decision as picking the school. at's something the Willems family of Appleton knows well. With a daughter entering her senior year at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee this fall and a son starting there, paying for college is definitely a family affair with parents and children chipping in, along with help from scholarships, grants and loans. "e school's financial aid office has been very helpful. It's been a creative process, funding this college thing," says Mary Willems, mom to Kim and Paul. "I guess that would be my best advice – be creative and work as a team." With the average annual cost of attending college ranging from just over $5,000 at a two-year technical college such as Fox Valley technical College to more than $24,000 to attend UW- Madison, students – and families – can quickly accumulate debt. e average college student in Wisconsin graduates with $25,000 in debt, according to the One Wisconsin Institute. "Paying for college has become a whole family affair," says Jim Rohan, director of financial aid and student employment at UW-green Bay. "It used to be students could work during the summer and earn enough to cover their costs. at's not the case anymore." While help is available through grants, scholarships and loans, says. "I work with students to make sure they pick the right school for the right reason since a poor choice can result in switching colleges and spending more than four years in school." schoelzel works with clients on maximizing financial aid packages and finding the best saving vehicles for the students' college education. "A lot of people come to me when their kids are already in high school. It would be better if they started when the kids were in Paying for college 101 Tuition rising; student debt averages $25,000 for region's graduates navigating the financial landscape is tricky. high schools and colleges have staff and programs in place to help students, but there's still a lot to take in. ere are also businesses like the College Bound Resource Center in Menasha, which was founded eight years ago by Robert schoelzel when his oldest child was getting ready to go to college. "Everything was so different from when I went to school; I realized quickly that families needed help," schoelzel [continued] »