Q: Water is essential for preventing kidney stones, but it can also help to promote good kidney function. If you are concerned about kidney disease, then you should try to drink more water. Make it your goal to drink between 6 and 8 8  fl oz (240 mL) glasses of water every day. If you are at risk of kidney stones, then you should drink even more water per day. Keep in mind that if your doctor has recommended a specific fluid intake for you, then you should stick to this recommendation. High protein diets can “overload” the kidneys, so it is important to eat only a moderate amount of protein to keep your kidneys healthy. About 20 to 30% of your calories should come from protein. For example, if you ate 2,000 calories in a day, then your calories from protein should be between 400 and 600 calories. You can determine whether or not you are meeting this goal by keeping track of what you eat and paying special attention to your calories from high-protein foods. High-protein foods include things like meat, eggs, fish, and dairy products. Sodium can also cause problems for your kidneys, so it is best to avoid high-sodium foods and reduce your sodium intake as much as possible. You can reduce the sodium in your diet by cooking your own food and by limiting the amount of prepared and processed foods that you eat.  If you do use any prepared foods, make sure that you read the labels and avoid foods with added salt. Keep track of how much sodium you eat each day. You should try to stay below 2,300 mg per day if you are under 51 years old and under 1,500 mg per day if you are over 51 years old. Low-fat foods will help to protect your kidneys as well as your heart and arteries. Try to steer clear of high-fat foods like fried foods, baked goods, and other fat-laden dishes. Instead, choose low-fat foods such as:  Lean cuts of meat Low-fat cheese Low-fat milk Poultry with the skin removed Fruits Vegetables Beans If you have kidney disease that is more advanced, then you may need to limit your phosphorus intake. Make sure to limit your phosphorus intake if your doctor has instructed you to do so. Foods that you should limit include:  Deli meats Meats with added phosphorus Dairy products Cola Processed foods It is important to maintain the proper balance of potassium, so you may need to avoid or limit certain foods if your doctor has told you to follow a lower potassium diet. Foods that tend to be high in potassium include:  Salt substitutes Oranges Bananas Potatoes Tomatoes Brown rice and wild rice Bran cereals Dairy products Whole wheat breads and pastas Beans Nuts
A: Drink more water. Eat a moderate amount of protein. Reduce your sodium intake. Choose foods that are low in fat. Limit phosphorus if you have been told to do so. Watch your potassium intake if you have been advised to do so.

Q: In general, in-state tuition is much cheaper than out-of-state tuition and public schools are much less expensive than private schools. However, know that some colleges claim to meet full financial need and others may seem expensive but have great financial aid plans. Do your research before you write anything off.  75% of the colleges on the meet-full-financial-need list rank in the top 25 in their rankings categories. These are very, very good schools that want to help you out! When it comes to aid, often where there's a will, there's a way. The cheapest option is to start at a community college and transfer later. Sometimes the credit doesn't always transfer, so be sure to do your research before you plan on this option. If it works, it can save you tens of thousands of dollars. You may think those private schools are out of your budget range, but often private schools compete with their public counterparts by offering more grants and aid. Just because it has a loftier price tag doesn't mean you should avoid it. If they have a good program, apply.  In general, in-state colleges are cheaper. But again, it all depends on the amount of aid you receive from each institution. Apply to several so you can leverage them against each other. If you have two (or more) colleges that are interested in you, they may up their offers! Stanford University, for example, will pay the tuition of students with family income under $100,000 per year; and students whose families earn under $60,000 get free tuition, room and board paid by the university. Set your sights high. If you get accepted to a great university, tuition may not be a problem. . That's the Free Application for Federal Student Aid and it can be filled out as early as January 1. The deadline is around June 1st, depending on your state and school, but it is widely suggested you fill it out as soon as possible to get all your financial ducks in a row. If you're unfamiliar with the FAFSA (for starters, where have you been?), it's a form you need to fill out to receive any federal aid to go to college in the US. Without it, you won't receive any grants or loans from the government! Travesty. Whether you've applied to just one school and have been accepted or have been accepted to a few, you have the power to negotiate. Often schools say aid is "non-negotiable"; however, that's just another way to say "they'll adjust it instead." Use your power!  If you're set on one school but your financial aid is a little lacking, go in to the financial aid office and make an appointment to discuss the terms. Instead of going in and demanding more money, ask why you were awarded what you were awarded and how you could qualify for more. In addition, relay specific terms that could not be addressed in the FAFSA. Is your family taking care of an aging relative? Do you have a move coming up? Did a parent lose their job? Sometimes these things can be taken into account and applied to your aid. If you've been accepted to several schools, inform them that you're weighing your financial aid options and will make your decision in the coming weeks. Some schools may up the ante to get you to attend their institution. Scholarship programs in your state can greatly reduce tuition costs for simply maintaining a high GPA and or doing volunteer work. There are numerous private scholarships that can be stacked, allowing you to piecemeal a financial aid package for yourself. Dunno where to find scholarships? Well for starters, the Internet. In addition to the larger scholarships, your school should be able to provide you with a list you can apply for. The financial aid office should be able to pinpoint you in the right direction—just make sure you're on top of things! Some deadlines come quite early. If you maxed out your federal aid and are iffy on the private student loan situation, there is an option for parents to take out loans. So long as you haven't had a credit mishap in just the past 60 days, you should qualify. Private parent loans are a bit harder to come by and the process is a bit more stringent. However, you have dozens and dozens of options when it comes to this realm. An academic financial aid agent will help you find the best scholarships, and they truly know the financial aid landscape and can find tax deductions which can help you get maximum benefit from need-based grants that may be available to you, even if you are a billionaire. 53% of federal financial aid in the US is actually given to those in the upper quintile ($60,000 gross income and above) because they are more financially literate and can find deductions where others might not. ROTC cadets are eligible for scholarships covering tuition, fees, and textbooks for 4 years, plus a monthly stipend. In return, students take ROTC courses along with their regular classes, promise to serve after graduation (time varies). Over 1,200 schools offer ROTC programs in US.  The Army requires 4 years active duty and 4 years in reserves. The Navy requires 4–5 years of active duty. The Air Force requires 4–6 years of active duty and 10 years for cadets trained as pilots.
A:
Apply to the right colleges. Apply to several colleges. Know that several elite universities or colleges will defer tuition costs completely if your family income falls under a certain amount. Fill out the FAFSA on time Negotiate your financial aid reward. Take advantage of scholarships. Talk about Parent PLUS loans. Find a financial aid agent. Apply for ROTC.