@teganslaw So, as promised, I texted my daughter about the Va program she bought into. She has now prepaid for 3 of her children to go to Va colleges.
It's called Va prepaid or Prepaid 529. Go here. https://www.savingforcollege.com/529-plans/virginia/prepaid529
I read somewhere else that the program is no longer offered.
There are provisions for if the child goes to a college outside of Va or...various other scenarios.
As I said, 3 of her children are in schools for gifted kids, so they'll probably get some scholarship money and ...for sure one will probably go to Harvard, Purdue, etc. It's going to be interesting to see how all of this pans out.
With the first kid picking Va Tech, my daughter lucked out. Ha! Emily's parents did take her to several schools around the country, but she's always liked Tech.
My late husband told our 3 girls they could pick any college in Va. He said Va has some excellent colleges and he wasn't about to pay out of state tuition. But the oldest (only one to get Masters) did pick Georgetown for her Masters. It is a private school. It was very expensive.
My late husband got his Masters from American University. He always felt when you go to a private school you're often paying for the name. I'm sure that is debatable, but that's how he felt.
More than ever some kids (and their parents) are considering a "gap year". Here's what a 'gap year' is.
https://www.savingforcollege.com/529-plans/virginia/prepaid529
I worry though because once a kid starts earning money, it's hard to go back to college full time.
In the end, every parent and child must decide what works best for them. I think maturity and cost are two things to definitely consider.