Putting your child through college may be the biggest expense you have to consider when raising your child, by far. But you’re committed to making it happen because it’s also one of the most important considerations you will have. And the process starts long before your child’s college career begins. Applying to college has its own list of expenses. And as with all major financial decisions, you have to decide where to best invest your dollars.

Here are a few expenses you will want to invest in.

Solid test preparation pays dividends.

Achieving an ACT or SAT score that is as high as possible is an important part of getting into the best possible college for your child, especially when considering tuition costs. At many colleges, the higher your test scores, the lower your tuition may be. Spending money on test prep can ultimately save you a lot of money when all is said and done.

You should also invest in reliable information.

Something as minor as buying a quality guide book can be tremendously helpful. There are several to choose from, so check out user ratings and talk to people who may have used a guide book already.

Also, minimize your spending on summer classes and other programs.

These may lead to positive experiences for your child if you can afford it. But if you are looking to save money wherever you can, there are better places to invest. College admissions officials do not weigh these programs heavily when considering whether or not to accept students into their programs.

You can also save money and time by limiting your college campus visits.

The costs for travel can really add up, so do your research ahead of time and visit only the campuses you are considering most seriously.

Participation in sports programs are generally not a great investment either.

Do not misunderstand, participating in sports can be a great way for your child to spend time and effort. They learn sportsmanship, teamwork, respect, and they get healthy in the process. However, investing a lot of money in elite sports programs can be an expense that does not pay off when getting into college. College admissions officials do not weigh heavily poorly funded sports programs like field hockey or tennis. So, spending a lot of money on private lessons and summer camps does not have to be a priority if you are on a budget.

The bottom line is this: save as much as you can for college tuition and expenses. And know where to best put that money to use. Investing in professional help may be a great way to save money in the long run. The experts at Great College Advice can answer all your questions about all the expenses involved in the college application process. And they can help you get the most out of your college investment in your child by helping you find the right college for them.

Visit our website at greatcollegeadvice.com and contact us to find out about our many levels of services and their costs.