We have finally gotten our new school year routines figured out, mostly anyway.

The kids are finishing homework each night and sports practices are in full swing. All is good and I feel like I can relax a little.

But if you have a senior in high school, things are just getting started for you if your kiddo is thinking about going to college after graduation.

The big question for these students seems to be which college they will attend.

While that is what the students are worried about, parents may be worrying about how they are going to pay for it.

The truth is, college is expensive. But planning ahead can significantly reduce the cost of post-secondary education.

There are several things you and your child can do to find funding to help pay for college.

The first is to start by filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

I remember having to fill this out and it was kind of a bear. I imagine it hasn’t changed too much. But this one federal form can help you get federal, state and institutional financial aid for college or graduate school. Get the form for free at fafsa.gov.

The FAFSA for the 2020-21 school year opens Oct. 1. Knowing the start date is important because “first-come, first served” financial aid programs may run out of funds.

Some colleges and universities offer institutional scholarships or grants, and those deadlines are often early in the year as well. Visit your chosen school’s financial aid office or website for details.

Besides grants and scholarships, the FAFSA also may help you receive work study or federal student loans. Consider federal loans over private loans, since they may offer lower rates and other benefits.

Remember loans must be repaid, so don’t borrow more than you need.

While most scholarships and grants don’t have to be paid back, there may be conditions you must meet to keep the funding. Make sure you understand the terms of any financial agreement you enter. If you don’t understand, ask questions until you do.

New this year, FAFSA went mobile with the myStudentAid app, and parents can help with the application process. Parents and students need separate IDs; they cannot share.

Some tax information from 2018 will be needed to fill out the application form.

The Kentucky Higher Education Assistance Authority offers a FAFSA checklist at http://bit.ly/KHEAAchecklist that may help you gather the information you need in order to apply. You need to update this form each year you attend college if you want to continue receiving funding.

In addition to filling out the FAFSA, go to your counselor at your high school and ask about scholarships. I know the counselors at GRC have information about several scholarships and the criteria for those scholarships.

You can also sit down with a counselor and ask questions that may help you as you start this journey toward college. There may be a scholarship you qualify for and you don’t have to do much more than fill out an application. It doesn’t hurt to ask.

Here are some additional tips to reduce the cost of college:

— Earn good grades in high school. In Kentucky, this determines your Kentucky Educational Excellence Scholarship (KEES) money and may help you get other scholarships.

— Strive for high test scores to earn KEES bonuses.

— Take the Advanced Placement (AP) test if you have completed the AP course. You earn college credits if you pass. While the test has a fee, it can be much less than the cost of taking the full college course.

— Take dual credit classes, if available. Scholarships for up to two dual credit courses may be available for high school juniors and seniors. For more information, talk to your school counselor.

— Be involved in clubs and organizations. It might help you on scholarship applications.

— Research and apply for private scholarships. Opportunities include scholarships for academic achievement, sports, artistic talents, race, gender, financial need and more.

— Don’t pay for scholarship search services or other “secret sources” for school funding. No one can guarantee you funding, and you can search on your own for free.

— Consider work study. Workers earn at least the minimum wage in a part-time job while taking classes.

Families who want to plan more than a year in advance might consider a 529 account. Kentucky’s state savings program is called the KY Saves 529 plan, which offers investment options to save for future education costs. Family members can contribute, or deposits can be made through payroll deduction. The plan’s earnings are exempt from Kentucky taxes, and withdrawals used for qualified education expenses are free from federal income taxes. Visit www.kysaves.com.

If you would like to learn more about planning for college or other financial literacy topics, contact the Clark County Cooperative Extension office at 859-744-4682.

Shonda Johnston is the Clark County Extension agent for family and consumer sciences. She can be reached at 859-744-4682 or by email at shonda.johnston@uky.edu.