Just when the cost of having multiples eases up as they ease out of diapers and formula (for those that just couldn't breast feed), you start hyperventilating at the first thoughts of college expenses. How do all these parents of multiples do it? Do they all apply for student loans, or are they all just wealthier than me? Surprisingly, it is more beneficial for a family to have more than one child in college at the same time (whether they are twins or just close in age). Many colleges offer a sibling discount that can save a family up to 50% off the tuition of the second child.

Going the financial aid route?
The wonderful news is that your EFC (Expected Family Contribution) when applying for financial aid is divided amongst your children. So if you have two children in college at the same time the cost might be cut in half. If you have triplets and all three are in school, you might find yourself paying 45% less than those families that have only one child in college!

Ask and you just might receive!
With the rise in twin and triplet births, many colleges and universities now offer multiple discounts. The amounts vary from full tuition to moderate scholarships. Some colleges (such as George Washington University) now even offer a 50% discount for siblings. Also, the Eastern Michigan University has the “Furlotte Twins Endowed Scholarship” for students who are enrolled in the College of Education “Elementary Education Program,” and have a GPA of 3.0 or higher. Students must exhibit academic promise, creativity and academic conscientiousness. Preference for this scholarship is even given to twins.

The following colleges also have attractive scholarships that your twins (or higher order multiples) can apply for:

The Paula Nieto Twin Scholarship at Carl Albert State College in Oklahoma

The National Organization of Mothers of Twins Clubs

Northwest Association Mother of Twins Clubs

Massachusetts Mothers of Twins Association

The Illinois Organization of Mothers of Twins Clubs, Inc.

Morris Brown College in Atlanta Georgia waives the tuition for one twin.

Sterling College in Sterling. (Kansas also offers a 50% discount for each twin or triplet)

Randolph-Macon Women's College in Lynchburg, VA; offers a 15% discount for twins.

Wilson College in Chambersburg, PA; an all female school that offers an annual scholarship for multiples. It will pay 45% of each student's tuition.

These are just a couple of colleges that offer discounts (as of January 2013). Please make sure to contact the college or university of your twins' preference to see what type of discounts or scholarships are currently available for multiples!