How typical US fam pays for college

Last year, the average private college charged $43,921 for tuition, room and board. Public schools charged $19,548 for in-state students and $34,031 for those from out of state. That’s enough to send jaws dropping for plenty of parents. So how are families footing the bill?/ CNN Money . More here.

DFO: Fortunately, Junior and Amy Dearest landed several large scholarships to help pay for their education at private colleges in the Portland, Ore., area. Still, Mrs. O and I, as well as the kids, had to take out loans to piece things together. My two children also had to work. They left their undergraduate schooling in relatively good shape re: student loans.

Question: How do/did you and your children pay for their college education?