Saving a Dollar Today is Better than Borrowing One Tomorrow®. But, HOW should you save? Over 17 million families have saved more than $500 billion in 529 saving plans and another $26 billion in prepaid 529 plans. Unlike the better-known savings plans, prepaid tuition plans allow families to lock in current tuition rates for future use. This article compares 529 …
What’s the Fuss about 529s?
Headlines abound about the value of college. So, what about saving for college? Why bother saving if there is question about the value of college to start? And what about the argument that saving for college will kill my kid’s chance of getting financial aid? First, that last argument is no argument at all. It is nothing more than a …
Two Financial Hacks to Wring Long- and Short-Term Risk out of Paying for College
College is expensive. Parents would feel better about investing for their child’s education if they could mitigate some of the future financial risks. Two of the most concerning risks: run-away inflation and fear of a student unexpectedly leaving college. But these fears can be alleviated or even eliminated! How? Prepaid college savings plans can help control future run-away inflation costs. …
Financial, Academic, Social Fit and Timeliness (FAST) = a Great College Fit
Choosing the right college is one of the most significant decisions in a student’s life. Most counselors and families immediately think of Academic and Social Fit. But the bookends to the FAST acronym are equally important: Financial Fit and Timeliness. A great college fit includes: Financial Academic Social Timeliness This article explores these four essential components to help students make …
A Comprehensive Guide to Navigating College Admissions Deadlines
Choosing colleges and then deciding when to apply are at the heart of the college admissions process. Each type of deadline serves different student needs, may lead to binding decisions, and can significantly impact your student’s application strategy. In this blog post, we’ll break down the most common types of college admissions deadlines to help you and your student make …
Five Things to Consider When Paying the College Bill
Paying for college can be daunting for any family or student, but with the right strategies, planning, and information, you can make it more manageable. Here are five essential things to consider when planning to pay for college: Knowing the Cost in Advance Understanding the true cost of college is the first step in financial planning primarily because it can …
Five Key Qs & As About Finding College Scholarships
College can be expensive. Discovering ways to decrease the cost by finding free money could make the difference between graduating with mountains of debt or not. In this blog post, we will answer five key questions about grants and scholarships. What is the difference between a grant and a scholarship? These terms are often used interchangeably to note an award …
The Importance of College Fit
Goldilocks and the Three Bears of College Fit All parents want their children to be successful and college is a natural step after high school for many students. In fact, students who attain a four-year degree have historically higher lifetime earnings than their counterparts who do not. According to College Board’s “Education Pays 2023” report, students with a four-year degree …
What to know: The college admissions timeline
Parents: Know the college admissions timeline The college admissions process can be tricky for any family, especially those going through it for the first time. Separate financial aid and admissions applications, multiple deadlines at each school, standardized exams, letters of recommendation, required essays, and, this year, changes to federal financial aid. No wonder you feel stress. Here’s the good news: …