529 plan in your state
Every Southern state offers tax-deductible contributions to a 529. Georgia Path2College, Louisiana START, Florida Prepaid, and Virginia529 are the major Southern programs. Start the day the child is born — even $50 a month compounds.
HBCU-specific scholarships
UNCF, Thurgood Marshall College Fund, and the Tom Joyner Foundation all run scholarship programs specifically for HBCU enrollees. File the FAFSA the day it opens (October 1).
Cost compare smart
Sticker price isn't real price. Spelman's net cost for families under $75k is often lower than a state flagship. Tougaloo's net cost is one of the lowest in the country.