Sending 9 kids to college: this family’s got it covered

By Sarah Netter | Published on March 9, 2026

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Cecilia Foede was only a year old, but her parents already had a plan for her college education.

Jennifer and Mark Foede have to start early — they have nine children and plan to send them all to college. And they’ve got an arsenal of savings tips, financial aid prospects, loan smarts, and parenting lessons to make it happen.

Affording College When Tuition is at an All-Time High

The cost of a college education continues to rise. For the 2024–2025 academic year, the average in-state tuition and fees at public four-year institutions are $11,011, while private colleges average $43,505. These figures highlight the growing financial challenges families face in funding higher education.

Having a large family is both a blessing and a downfall when it comes to paying for college, Foede said.

“You have to make a seriously large amount of money before you don’t get financial aid of some sort,” Foede said, but “unless you make a seriously large amount of money, you’re not going to have savings for all your kids that cover college.”

Mark works in the medical device field and Jennifer is finishing her master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling. While they do contribute financially to their children’s college funds, they and their kids rely on a patchwork of financial aid, loans, side jobs, scholarships, and good old-fashioned budgeting.

In addition to these strategies, families like the Foedes can explore financial support options through companies like Earnest. Earnest offers private parent loans¹, which allow parents to directly fund their child’s education without adding to the student’s financial burden. For families with older children in college, cosigning student loans can also help students access better loan terms. Down the road, refinancing these loans² can provide significant savings by lowering interest rates or simplifying repayment plans³.

“I remember my midwife telling me she had $50,000 saved up for each of her two kids’ college funds,” Foede said. “I am pretty sure my eyes became saucers.”

That puts footing the entire bill for their children’s tuition firmly out of reach for many families, including the Foedes.

Sending Multiple Kids to College? Here’s What to Do

Jennifer Foede shared her family’s tips for paying for a college education, whether you are sending multiple kids to college or enrolling yourself.

Start a 529 savings plan

If you start this education savings account when your kids are young, even adding a little bit at a time will add up fast over the years.

“When relatives ask what they should get your kids for their birthdays or Christmas, mention the savings accounts or 529 plans,” Foede said.

The Foedes set up their 529s as early as possible. While their two youngest don’t have them yet, the next four in line do. But even if you didn’t get a headstart, it’s never too late to open a 529 tax-advantaged savings account.

Get good grades in high school

This is the battle cry of parents everywhere, but each good grade could mean money in your pocket when it comes to college affordability. Sports scholarships are talked up at the high school level, but academic achievement can be just as lucrative.

“Merit scholarships are a thing,” Foede said. “Colleges didn’t care about transcripts so much as ACT scores, but both were used to give additional scholarships beyond financial aid.”

Students should also use Advance Placement (AP) credits and other academic points to get ahead. Foede’s eldest daughter, Gabrielle, started college with a year’s worth of AP credits, saving her a year’s worth of tuition.

Encourage your kids to save for college too

Saving for college shouldn’t just fall on the parents. It may be financially necessary for the kids to contribute in a meaningful way. The Foede children save 30% of the money they earn for long-term spending, including college tuition.

“While we couldn’t save $50,000 for each child, we can match what our kids save,” Foede said. “That makes them more motivated to save their own money.” Her children got creative and started earning money well before they were old enough for a part-time job outside of the house.

“Around here, everyone loves when kids offer to shovel, weed gardens, or clean up doggy droppings from the yard,” she said. “Or babysitters — responsible ones who tidy the house and wash the dishes are worth their weight in gold.”

Once in college, Foede recommends finding a job either on or off campus (or one that fits within your degree program). Not only do you earn extra cash, it looks great on your resume once you graduate.

Apply for any and all scholarships

The internet and your child’s school are fantastic resources to help locate scholarships.

“There are thousands of scholarships out there. Some are pretty obscure, and some are pretty small, but they add up to lots of help,” Foede said.

Scholarship databases help simplify the scholarship search process. When applying, pay attention to the details, including deadlines and word counts.

“My daughter won a $6,000 renewable scholarship for teachers by writing a lovely essay that an editor friend helped shrink down to the word limit by the skin of her teeth.”

Apply for Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) every year

And don’t forget FAFSA. All students should fill out the FAFSA every year. It’s the only way to access federal student loans and work-study programs. The application has undergone significant changes for the 2024–2025 academic year, including a new form and updates to the financial aid calculation process. These changes aim to make it easier for families to access federal and state grants.

Choose schools wisely

It can be easy to pine for a dream school, but paying down tens of thousands of dollars in debt is no one’s dream. So pick a good school based not only on their programs and success, but also on what’s affordable.

“Private schools will tell you that they match public schools’ financial aid, but what they won’t tell you is that they cost twice as much,” Foede said. “My daughter chose a public school anyway. She got a full-ride scholarship, but room and board required some student loans that she decided were worth it. We helped out when we could, in addition to using the aforementioned savings accounts.”

Reduce your expenses

When it comes to spending, budgeting goes a long way both on campus and off.

“Don’t choose the priciest dorm,” Foede said. “Don’t choose the most expensive meal plan. Don’t spend all your money on alcohol — or any of your money, for the underage crowd!”

Prioritize your goals

Is your child wondering if they should go to college? There are pros and cons either way.

Figure out what your kids (or you, if you are saving for college) really want. While the Foedes are preparing for all nine of their children to attend college, it isn’t a requirement, she said, if they choose a trade career that doesn’t call for a four-year bachelor’s degree.

“My hope is that as they grow and develop, they gain the insight necessary to understanding their potential,” Foede said, “and do their best to live up to it, whatever that may be.”

Use private student loans to cover remaining expenses

At the same time, Foede added, don’t be afraid of loans if you need them.

Earnest can make the loan process straightforward and stress-free for families. With flexible repayment terms, transparent rates, and no fees for prepayment, parents can take on the necessary loans with confidence. And as students graduate, Earnest’s refinancing options can simplify repayment and even reduce overall costs, making the investment in education more manageable in the long run.

Taking the next step with confidence

Navigating the cost of college for one child is challenging—doing so for multiple children is an even greater feat. As highlighted in the Foedes' story, a thoughtful combination of financial aid, budgeting, and strategic planning can make higher education attainable. For families looking to go even further, Earnest offers solutions designed to ease the financial burden.