How Parents Can Help Students Choose the Right College—and Graduate With Little or No Debt

Name: How Parents Can Help Students Choose the Right College—and Graduate With Little or No Debt
Start: 2026-02-07T14:30:00-05:00
Location: 1925 Electric Avenue, Watkinsville, GA, United States, Georgia 30677

Schedule

Sat, 07 Feb, 2026 at 02:30 pm

UTC-05:00

Location

1925 Electric Avenue, Watkinsville, GA, United States, Georgia 30677 | Watkinsville, GA

College costs are rising faster than ever. Parents are left asking: Is college still worth it? Are we making the right choices? How do we avoid student loan debt? This interactive discussion is designed to give parents clarity, confidence, and practical strategies.
Join us for a guided discussion based on two recent books, The Truth About College and Dream School: Finding the College That’s Right for You. (No need to purchase the books or to have read them)
We’ll address the questions parents are asking right now:
Is college the right path for my student—and when should they go?
How do we choose a college that’s a good fit academically, financially, and emotionally?
What majors actually lead to strong career outcomes?
How can families pay for college without crushing debt?
Are AP, CLEP, dual enrollment, and Early College worth it?
Is a “prestigious” school really worth the extra cost?
How important are internships, AI skills, study abroad, and micro-credentials?
Are 529 plans, HOPE, and Zell Miller scholarships enough to keep costs manageable?
Why do Georgia students still graduate with over $40,000 in average student loan debt?
What options exist for adults who started college but never finished?
Discussion Leaders: Peter Balsamo, Ph.D. 35+ years in higher education across a public research university, two regional universities, and a community college. Dr. Balsamo will share real-world lessons from his daughter’s experience: entering a flagship university with 70+ credits, earned through AP, CLEP, and dual enrollment—and graduating in May 2028 with both B.S. and M.S. degrees with no tuition and no student loan debt.
Robert Toutkoushian, Ph.D., Professor, Institute of Higher Education, University of Georgia. Co-author of recently published paper entitled: “Perceived returns and regrets among college graduates”