Your kids are getting older and the price of college keeps getting higher. On top of that, when you have three kids like the Lazar family, the cost of college can be crippling. With a 16, 11, and 6-year-old, the Lazar's are gearing up for hundreds of thousands of dollars of investment. Their profile on MSN recommends, among other things, using FastWeb for finding scholarships We appreciate the shout out, and would also like to give a little advice to the Lazar's and other families out there with many kids.

• Lock in tuition now: Many programs like College Illinois and Independent 529 enable you to invest in college now and lock into the price of college today rather than pay much more down the road. As parents, you contribute just like a regular 529, plus other family members can chip in as well.
  

• Remember EFC: Expected family contribution, that is. EFC is the basis of FAFSA and, theoretically, the more college-bound children, the more financial aid you should receive. While this surely won't solve your problems, it will help in getting those federal loans for school.

• Target Schools that Give: Lesser-known colleges are more willing to giving out merit scholarships to students who perform well. A child who would be an average applicant to a top school would be a stellar applicant at lesser-known institution.  Schools are willing to pay for a part, or even all, of their tuition to lure that student to attend, because it means the quality of their student body will improve.