A USA Today 50 state survey of 67 top public schools revealed that although some schools, such as Texas, North Dakota, Illinois, California and Kansas, will have double–digit increases, others are increasing tuition and fees by relatively small percentages.

So, what's a parent to do? I will be writing a series of articles on this topic because it is so important — not only to your pocketbook and life style, but also to how your child views his responsibility to you and his future.

Your child — their money — I believe that all parents, no matter how tight their financial pinch is, should do whatever they can to help their kids out with paying for college. You can do only so much, however, and very important — shouldn't shortchange your retirement fund or your home; those come first. But I really do believe that college remains part of a parent's core responsibility.

By the same token, I believe that kids have to take responsibility for their own college education — and it doesn't matter how comfortably fixed the parents are. Even if you can pay for four years at Stanford, you shouldn't.

I believe that kids should be prepared to pay a quarter of their college expenses, whatever they are.

Your child — your money — When should you start to save for college? As soon as you decide to have children (or before). Why? Because if you take a look at some of the costs I've laid out here, you may start to feel ill. Or decide, that good ole fashion work for your child may be more worthwhile than college.

If you choose the college route, and you haven't started yet — now is the only answer. I wasn't kidding about starting at birth. That is a perfect time. When your friends or family plan that baby shower for you, instead of having them buy your baby dozens of impractical scratchy outfits that require dry cleaning, open–up an investment account and have them help "to give your child a future." They'll be thrilled to help and not have to go into a baby store to figure out what you don't need. What do you need?

A PLAN — Without a plan it will be harder to get there. Just ask yourself some basic questions to get started. Yes, you have to start saving, but until you know where you're going; saving won't automatically get you there.

• Is college a priority for you and your children?
• How many children do you have?
• When will they attend?
• For how many years?
• What kind of school will they attend?
  • Public?
  • Private?
  • Vocational?
• Most likely cost?

How to get there? First, take a look at the projected costs below. This is not an exact science but these costs are based upon College Board averages. These costs include tuition, books, fees, room and board, transportation and personal expenses. It doesn't include you and your family going to see college before junior selects one (can be costly) and it doesn't include you and your family visiting junior during school (can be costly). So, if anything, the costs will be low — who knows what computers, cell phones, clothes, food, etc. will cost in 20 years. But again, these are estimates and a good place to start.

Most families pay about one third of the cost of college from savings, a third from current income and a third from loans, grants, scholarships or other financial aid.

HOLD ON TO YOUR SEATS — COLLEGE COSTS: (Source: College Board) approximate totals

What if you just had a baby? What will the projected costs be when your child is a college freshman?

What if your child is in Kindergarten this year? What are the projected costs when your child is a college freshman?

What if your child is in the Sixth Grade this year? What are the projected costs when your child is a college freshman?

What if your child is a high school freshman this year? What are the projected costs when your child is a college freshman?

What if your child is a college freshman this year? What are the average costs?

In the case of an in–state college, at current rates, the total four years are approximately $56,000, so one quarter of that comes to approximately $14,000.

At the higher end of the spectrum, a private college weighs in at about $30,000 per year. A community college could be as low as $2,500–$3,000 per year. That means that your prospective college student would be responsible for from somewhere in the range of $25,000 to $30,000.

Most teens should be able to earn enough to pay their freight free and clear on the low end. On the high end…no way.

But coming up with the cash for tuition is only one way for a teen to contribute to the college experience. Scholarships and grants count. So does getting a college loan. So does getting into an accelerated program and graduating in 3 years, or going to summer school.

The contribution is what's important. Your child has to be a part of their own education, to share the responsibility, in whatever proportion you divvy it up. The sharing is key.

It's not unreasonable to ask your teen to make this contribution, and you should do it, even if you can afford to pay. There's nothing wrong with sending your teen to an elite school if they can get into it and if you can afford it. If your child can get into a MIT or a Princeton, even if they don't get a scholarship, that's an achievement, and it should be honored. But it still shouldn't be a gift.

A quarter of the tuition to an elite college is a substantial commitment in student loans, but a degree from an elite university is a substantial asset.

There's no guarantee of success in anything one does in life, and you can't guarantee, or get a guarantee, that your child will do well in college. But there's always more incentive to succeed at something that a person has a financial stake in. Your child may be more committed to getting up for that 8:00 a.m. class if they're paying for it.

Neale S. Godfrey is a former bank president and an acknowledged expert on family finance. Her 14 books include a #1 New York Times Best Seller, Money Doesn't Grow On Trees and her latest book, Money Still Doesn't Grow On Trees: A Parent's Guide To Raising Financially Responsible Teens and Young Adults. She has authored an educational program called The One and Only Common Sense/Cents Series which corporations are donating into their local community schools and after–school programs. Neale has appeared on TV on The Oprah Winfrey Show, Good Morning America, The Today Show, CNBC, NBC, CNNfn. She frequently delivers lectures on "How to Raise Financially Responsible Children." For more corporate marketing programs, products, and books go to Neale's Web site www.childrensfinancialnetwork.com or call 908–879–8898.

All text by Neale S. Godfrey is the sole property of Children's Financial Network, Inc. All rights reserved.