How to Talk Turkey and College Savings During Thanksgiving Break

It’s Thanksgiving Break, and it’s time to gather together as a family for great times and great food. It’s also a good time to sit down and have an honest discussion about college. Whether your student is already attending or still in high school, taking some time to break down costs and expectations will keep everyone on the same page when it comes to savings. 

Start Asking Questions

To prevent you from getting overwhelmed or uncomfortable, we suggest approaching this as a team with your family. Sitting down to discuss the shared goals can be an easy way to break the ice before talking about the financial side. Keeping the discussion based around shared goals reduces the stress and keeps the conversation focused on what really matters. So we suggest writing down questions like:

• What kind of college experience are you looking for, public or private, in-state or out-of-state? 

• What type of campus are you most comfortable with, small or large, city or suburban? 

• What are your career goals, and how do your academic goals line up?

• Do you have a list of colleges you want to apply to?

• How much can we, as a family,  realistically contribute every year?

Consider Cost Beyond Tuition

When looking at tuition costs, many families might overlook travel, housing, meals, and books. You need to plan for these things too, so you’re not caught off guard. The cost of attendance can greatly affect overall yearly expenses, especially if you’re trying to stick to a budget. Discuss with your student how many times they expect to come home and how often you plan to visit them on campus. 

Know Your FAFSA Deadline

For an honest look at financial aid and what that could look like, make sure you complete your FAFSA paperwork while you’re home on break if you haven’t yet. The application has been open since October, and it’s recommended that families submit it as early as possible to improve financial aid opportunities. The FAFSA helps determine not just aid, but also grants and work-study opportunities. So take this time to:

• Make sure your FAFSA is completed

• Review your school’s deadlines and complete any required additional financial forms (ie CSS Profile)

• Review your FAFSA Submission Summary together to verify everything is accurate.

Ask the Hard Questions

When it comes to discussing financial aid, it’s best to be very honest about how student debt will pick up what aid cannot. With Send Your Kids to College, families can take active steps in comparing college funding and repayment options. We work with you to understand your choices and their long-term impact, especially with the federal loan limit rules changing starting in July of 2026. During your discussion:

• Review your potential loans and their amounts

• Make it clear who will be legally responsible for each loan

• Look into the possibility of Parent PLUS or even private loans as part of your funding plan

• Explore if there is a loan forgiveness program that could apply to your situation or future career

•  Research if additional education beyond undergraduate studies is required, and estimate those costs

Have a Plan!

As a vital part of your discussion, make an action plan together that will start before the New Year. List out small, easy steps to conquer before this break is over:

• Have your student search for possible scholarships to apply for. We recommend our very own WNY Young Achievers’ Scholarship, which will open in 2026.

• Make note of which colleges still need financial documents from you

• Set a date for another family meeting to revisit your college plan after the acceptance letters arrive

• Start planning campus visits or re-visits to help narrow down your college list

The Holiday Season is a great time to relax, destress, and catch up with friends and family. We also know that this can be a very stressful time for students, especially for high school seniors, when relatives are asking a barrage of questions about college and future plans. Having a plan will help reduce some of this stress and give them confidence in knowing that you’re in this together. College planning is a marathon, not a sprint, and we are here to help you if you need us.