Special Series: Parents and College Tuition Struggles

Feb. 9, 2007 — -- Nearly half of parents questioned in an ABC News poll say they're behind in their savings schedule for their children's college education.

Fifty-two percent of parents think they'll be able to pay for only a portion of their children's college costs, hoping scholarships and loans will foot the rest of the bill. At the same time, the costs of college, both public and private, have risen dramatically in recent years. A private four-year college education is now more than $30,000 per year, and a public four-year college averages nearly $13,000 per year.

"World News" Saturday and Sunday, along with USA Today, set out to examine why a college education is so expensive and what parents can do to prepare for one of the biggest financial hurdles they'll face.

Our special two-part series this weekeend will provide answers, and will highlight the fastest-growing college savings plan in the United States, while also taking a look at why so few people are using it.