I know it sounds impossible but families are doing it. You can save an average of $17k on state schools, $20k on out of state schools, and up to $80k on private schools. Saving just $5k a year off the cost of attendance could save tens of thousands in financing costs and over $100k in opportunity cost. This is the first domino and the first secret to reducing the cost of college. For those of you who watched the Free College Challenge, do you think it's possible to get your SAI number to $0?