NOT SUREFIRE: Prepaid college tuition plans are no longer the surefire solution to runaway tuition costs. Battered finances of state governments have raised questions about whether some plans will live up to their promises.

SAVE FOR COLLEGE: The mostly state-sponsored plans were designed as a way to save for college by locking in at least a portion of future tuition at today's prices. Numerous states have shut down their plans or changed them as their deficits widened.

REVIEW SPECIFICS: College financing experts advise parents and students to carefully review the specifics of their state's plan and determine if it makes sense for them.