• Being a student of note (academically, athletically, musically, whatever might earn you scholarships)
• Doing well on college entrance exams such as the ACT or SAT
• Studying hard in high school so you won’t just get into college, you’ll be prepared to stay in college
• Earning as many college credits in a low cost environment as is feasible (AP credits, CLEP testing, PSEO, community college, transferring)
• Choosing a field of study that is not financial suicide
• Choosing the right college with a reasonable cost of attendance that will also value you being their student
• Being situated in your own best financial position for calculation of your expected family contribution in year 1 and beyond
• Clustering children’s college attendances
• Maintaining good grades so you not only stay enrolled, you remain eligible for scholarships and any other aid you were receiving
• Graduating at least on time if not early
• Exiting school with student loan plan
• Having a post-graduation job lined up (this is easier if you took a co-op) so you can get started on paying those student loans from a position of strength

Also, don’t be afraid to consider college alternatives.  Trade schools will pay you to learn while you work, have been in a (worsening) shortage for years, plus many of them also are resistant to off-shoring.  Certificate programs or credentials are much cheaper and faster to earn than full degrees.