The Complete Guide to Paying for College: Save Money, Cut Costs, and Get More for Your Education Dollar

College costs are straining every family except the richest. Most financial aid goes to the neediest families. The middle class typically doesn't qualify for need-based financial aid, even though most can't afford to pay cash for college and their salaries haven't allowed them to save enough to cover all costs. If these families are trying to put more than one child through college, the challenges are exponential.

If you've been asking how your child can receive a quality education even though you can't pay today's college tuition out of pocket, The Complete Guide to Paying for College is the answer. This step-by-step guide includes actionable tips to save on education costs and the many living expenses--room, board, books, activities--that apply to the first year and beyond.

Leah Ingram--a money-saving expert and parent of two college students--reveals the "insider tricks" to pay for college, including: