Whether your child is 18 months or 18 years of age, the time to start planning for college costs is now! No matter what your financial situation, or the amount of time you have to plan, there is a way to pay for college. With an extensive state-by-state listing of loan sources, as well as a complete breakdown of schools offering prepayment and special tuition-payment plans, co-op education programs, and R.O.T.C., Bright Ideas is required reading for college-bound students and their families.