Advice for HIGH SCHOOL senior (sticky situation)

[Still BLUTANG]

Hey all, i need suggestions on how to advise a high-school student. Here's the situation:

our office assistant's son is a high school senior and just recently decided he wants to go to college. last week i told the co-worker that i would sit down with him and discuss anything that's on his mind (selecting a college, thinking about a major, filling out the applications/completing essays, and most importantly SCHOLARSHIPS and financial aid).

this week i find out homeboy's grades aren't that strong... AND that he needs to go to saturday school to graduate on time.

i can't in good consience recommend this child spend his time and his mother's MONEY applying to colleges that he probably won't get into. i also feel like his mother is gassing him up to just be let down. i don't want to be in a position where it's akward in the workplace, but i don't want to be dishonest either.

how should i talk to the assistant... and what education/career advice can i give to the son besides "get your grades up."

does anyone have any suggestions?