College costs a lot of money, money that you and your family have to come up with somehow, somewhere.  This is often a conversation that comes up over the holidays when students are home visiting.  There are also lots of statistics that those visits home can be stressful for everyone involved, particularly when the subject of money comes up.

So here are some tips to help you survive the holiday and avoid throwing turkey at one another in an irate furor.

1. Discuss scholarships.  Let’s face it – scholarships are free money and free money will brighten anyone’s day.
2. Students show your initiative.  If you’re a student, wow your parents with what you’ve been doing to help while on your own time.  Show your parents a stack of scholarship applications, or wow them with your knowledge of the different types of Stafford Loans and why they are better than private loans.
3. Patience goes a long way.  Be patient.  Your child is approaching finals and is probably stressed out already, long before the subject of $$ ever comes up.
4. Plan for next year.  At this point, paying for this year’s tuition is largely settled (we hope).  So instead of arguing over who owes what now, layout a game-plan for next year and elicit promises from everyone that they will stick to it.  Have people sign it if necessary!