Merit and need-based aid are the two major types of college funding that do not require repayment. Understanding the difference between them can save a family time and money, and help with college selection. This knowledge also helps a family save on the cost of college. As you know, we have been reviewing and discussing […]

Tuition reciprocity agreements are one way to cut the cost of higher education while broadening the student’s list of potential colleges. In this article, we will talk about what tuition reciprocity is, the difference between reciprocity and out-of-state scholarships, the major pacts, and requirements. Use of these pacts is only one way to save on […]

Can you imagine wanting a car and heading to the dealership located close to where you typically park, then seeking acceptance from your friends and family for your purchase? This seems like a ridiculous way to buy a car, yet this is exactly how most families approach higher education. Most families select a college based […]

Paying for college has been the theme of this important series using a three-prong approach. First is saving for college using accounts like the 529. If you have seen any recent news on the topic, you likely have a fundamental understanding of how this account works. This step also uses other savings vehicles. The second […]

If you have been following this series of blog posts, you know that college funding is the focus. The process, while easy on the surface, requires three steps. First, save for the cost of college. Many sources – from bloggers to financial publications – discuss this topic, and large financial institutions tell you how to […]

The last article focused on step two of the college funding process. It reviewed the types of student loans and broke them down into federal and private loans, as well as the subcategories of student and parent loans. Today, we continue by discussing student loans and the student loan crisis. Will there be a crisis […]

In the last blog post, The Current Reality of Paying for College, we discussed the nature of college funding, the misalignment between the financial services industry and parents, and how we parent. Specifically, we examined the details behind the Student Loan Bubble and compared default rates to the mortgage delinquencies of 2008. The numbers show […]

A great college funding plan considers the different types of student loans and has three steps. The first step sets up your resources and budget. The last blog post focused on this topic. We reviewed how to create a college funding budget and compared it to the pre-approval process of buying a home. Also, the […]

In this video, we talk about the recent tax reform, 529 accounts, and how it may not be as great over the short term as people hope. Topics: 1. Provision of the tax from allowing families to withdraw $10,000 for private tuition. 2. Tax treatment of 529 on the federal and state level. 3. States […]

Planning for college gives families the opportunity to send young adults into the world on the best footing. Not only do these young work warriors learn technical skills to follow a career with a livable income, they also learn social skills by interacting with a new set of people. When not carried out properly, students […]