What Contributing Grandparents need to know about 529’s
May 4, 2009 by admin
Filed under Free Money for College
What exactly should grandparents need to know about 529 college plans? Some things just seem to go together like hot dogs and baseball, peanut butter and jelly, and of course, grandparents and 529 plans.
It’s a very lucky family that can depend upon grandma and grandpa to help with college tuition bills. College expenses aren’t exactly shrinking. The best gift that anyone could give could be your grandchild’s education fund and a 529 plan is a great way to get started.
A 529 plan is a state sponsored savings plan that invests money on behalf of beneficiaries. The earnings are tax deferred from federal income tax and most states have programs that will defer state taxes. If your grandchild uses the money from this fund for any qualified education purpose, the withdrawals will be free of tax.
Grandparents are allowed to contribute up to $11,000 per year per grandchild. So if Grandpa and Grandma have two grandchildren could place up to $44,000 in funds for the grandchildren without any gift tax liability. The grandparents would each have to set up 2 funds for each grandchild (a total of 4).
Grandparents will still have control over these funds and can retrieve the money if needed. Of course, there will be taxes and penalties on an unqualified withdrawal but the taxes and penalties will only be on your earnings, not on the amount of the original contribution.
The 529 plans have lots of investment options, which create a big decision for the grandparents to make. Grandparents typically are more conservative than the child’s parents. The most popular approach to 529 investments tends to be the age-based option. This is a simple way to save for college. You do not have to personally adjust your allocations over time.
The fund is managed according to the age of your grandchild. Younger children have more of a stock concentration. As your child gets older, the assets are automatically shifted into a higher ratio of short-term investments and more stable bonds.
Grandparents could also check and see if the 529 plan that your have set up will accept a third party contributions. This will take all of the worry about opening and maintaining your own accounts. State tax deductibility may be an issue if you go this route. Some states allow you a deduction for at least part of your contribution to their 529 plans. As a third party donor you will not be eligible for this deduction.
If you ever need to apply for Medicaid benefits, the state will look at your 529 plans as countable assets. You are eligible to take back the money you’ve invested so the money is technically available to pay medical or nursing home expenses. If you have this concern, it is an issue to discuss with your tax professional or attorney. It might be a good idea to make someone else the owner of the fund.
A big concern for grandparents is what would happen to the money in the 529 accounts if your grandchild chooses not to attend college. A great option is to change the beneficiary to another family member or even yourself. You can change the beneficiary as much as you want.
Another option is to take the money in the fund for your needs. The earnings in the account will be subject to a 10% penalty rate and will be taxable as income. This is some of what contributing grandparents need to know about 529’s. It is a great way to invest in your grandchild’s future. You have picked an incredible gift to give to your very lucky grandchild.
Funding Options for College Bound Students
May 3, 2009 by admin
Filed under Free Money for College
With so many funding options for college bound students, which one is best for you? Paying for college may be the largest expense a family can have, especially for families with multiple children. There are so many funding options to assist you. Here are some brief descriptions of your options.
A Coverdell educational savings account is a popular plan for college funding. You can contribute up to $2000 per year per child. If you use these funds for qualified education expenses, the earnings are tax deferred and free of federal tax. You select the investments for optimal flexibility.
Section 529 plans are state-sponsored plans that can be used to pay college expenses. This is a tax-advantage plan for approved education-related expenses such as tuition, room and board, supplies and fees. The state generally hires an investment firm as a program manager who provides various investment choices.
You invest in the appropriate portfolios that match your investment time-line and risk tolerance. The two types of 529 plans are prepaid and savings. Prepaid plans (independent) let you purchase tuition credits at member colleges, at today’s rates, for future usage. Savings plans have growth based on the market performance of your investments.
UGMA/UTMA accounts are custodial accounts opened on behalf of a minor. This gift is considered irrevocable with all withdrawals required to be for the minors benefit. The balance of the account is turned over to the minor at the age of majority.
Grants and scholarships are “free money” options that don’t have to be paid back. This is a debt-free way to fund an education. Financial need typically must be demonstrated to receive a grant. Scholarships are usually based on merit.
Work-study programs provide part-time employment from the federal government to earn money for college. This program is not only in place to help to fund college, but a work-study job can provide essential work experience.
Federal student loans are low interest, long-term loans for students. These loans offer attractive repayment options including being able to post-pone payments while attending college and in times during repayment of financial difficulty. There are federal loans for both parents and students. The best know ones are Stafford Loans for students and PLUS for parents.
A lot of people turn to these programs for their funding needs. You can also often find private loans that have low interest rates for college students. Be sure to choose a reputable lender who in knowledgeable on loan choices if using a private lender.
Tuition payment plans are an interest and debt-free way to spread payments over several months. Not all colleges offer this plan. Typically used by families who have income that will cover the gap between the amount they are billed for college and the amount of financial aid received.
Assets of a family are often used to fund college. IRA’s, savings accounts, 401k plans and stocks offer a debt-free way to fund an education. As a word of caution, before you liquidate one of these accounts, consider the earnings you may be missing out on. Use this number as a comparison to the amount of interest you would incur from a student loan plan.
Credit cards are often a popular but poor choice for funding a college bound student. This is for the simple fact that interest rates can be high. Use this funding choice with caution.
It’s important to think about your own situation as you plan to fund your education. Establishing a savings plan at an early age will make a huge difference. There are lots of funding options for college bound students. Which one makes the most sense for you?
Roth IRAs – A Viable Option for College Funding?
May 3, 2009 by admin
Filed under Free Money for College
Lately, there has been much confusion regarding the benefits of using a Roth IRA to finance a college education on a tax-free basis. This is due to the complexity of rules on taking distributions/withdrawals from Roth IRAs. There are two kinds of money in a Roth IRA: contributions and earnings. Unlike a traditional IRA, contributions to a Roth are never tax-deductible.
Since taxes have already been paid taxes on the contributions, these can be withdrawn at any time, for any reason, without paying taxes, although they may be subject to the early 10% withdrawal penalty if they come out of a Roth within five tax years. Fortunately, that penalty is waived if the contributions are used for higher education expenses such as going to college.
The same can be done with non-deductible contributions made to traditional IRAs. But, the money earned by those contributions, such as capital gains, interest and dividends is untaxed money. Untaxed money cannot be taken out without paying income tax on it until the age of 59 1/2 or older. There are some exceptions to this rule, but unfortunately higher education is not one of them.
If the earnings are withdrawn from a Roth, they are taxed at ordinary earned income rates, not the more favorable capital gains rates. Don't even think about using Roth earnings for college. A person would be far better off with a taxable account. However, a person can use Roth contributions for college.
This option is viable only if the individual has some other type of retirement plan that is funded to satisfactorily. Obviously, the individual’s future support should come first, and the individual’s children can work their way through college. Thus, as long as the Roth isn't all that stands between a person and a mediocre, poverty ridden retirement, then yes, the Roth has some potential for college funding.
Nobody will lend an individual money for a comfortable retirement, but a student can borrow money for college. The point of saving for college is to hopefully avoid the need for a student to borrow.
But bumps in the financial road do happen sometimes, and the bottom line is that if it comes down to an either/or situation, it's more important that there is a reasonable level of retirement savings more than large college savings fund.
As far as the tax advantages are concerned, a person might as well hide the money under a mattress. The individual is simply putting some money, on which taxes have already been paid, into the Roth for a while, then taking it back out and using it to pay for college.
No taxes are paid on that kind of withdrawal just like a person wouldn't pay taxes on withdrawals from a savings account, or money you stashed in a coffee can. The tax advantages of saving for college in a Roth is good. While a person will not get tax-free treatment on earnings saved in a Roth if used for college, the contributions can be withdrawn for college expenses without tax or penalty.
The obvious solution is to leave the earnings in the Roth for retirement and withdraw the principal to pay college bills. There is some flexibility in using a Roth IRA, but here are also yearly contribution limits for the Roth, with the annual limit for the Roth IRA increasing to $4,000 in 2005, a married couple will be able to save a full $8,000 per year in Roth IRAs.
Many families with kids aren't going to be able to save more than that anyway, and if they can, the Coverdell accounts are still available to save an extra $2,000 per child per year. The treatment of college funding is often confusing, it is sufficient to say that having college savings money held in a Roth IRA can simplify the treatment of financial aid and education tax credits.
Community College – A Financial Head Start on Education
May 3, 2009 by admin
Filed under Free Money for College
Why should you consider making a pit stop at community college before heading off to college or university? There are many reasons why community college represents a head start on education. Here are some reasons why you should put your local community on your list of life pit stops.
Community College Allows You to Get an Academic Head Start
Want to get a taste of college while you are still in high school? Many community colleges allow high school seniors to take courses that can be counted towards a future degree. Your local community college can be a great way to start your college career early, even if it means taking a summer course after high school graduation.
Your local community college can be a great way to prime yourself for university or four year colleges. For instance, taking a community college can be a great way to get prerequisites out of the way so you will be clear to take a higher level course once you get to a four year institution. Moreover, it is very affordable to take classes at the community college level.
Community College Can Also Help You Get a Financial Head Start
Why should you make a pit stop at your local community college before heading off to a four year college or university? Easy. It can save you thousands of dollars. In most states, you can easily fulfill many of your undergraduate competencies by taking those classes at your local community college. Most community colleges offer smaller class sizes and highly qualified instructors.
At the university label, chances are you will spend most of your ‘required’ courses in oversized lecture halls with grad students mumbling their way through the lectures. In short, going to community college can save you money and maybe even get you a better education footing than taking the very same course at a university.
Not a Straight A High School Student? Community College Offers a Blank Slate
For many people, community college offers a much needed clean slate. Perhaps you are not able to go to the college of your choice directly out of high school because of your grades. Community college is a great way to pursue a higher education at your own pace, without the high stress burden of a big tuition bill that you would get at a traditional four year university.
By taking classes at a community college, you can begin to zero in on your interests. You can begin to build an academic record that you are proud of. Make sure to take advantage of all the resources that will be available to you on campus, including tutoring services and financial aid consultations.
Using Community College as a Springboard to a Traditional Four Year Campus
Community college is a great place to use as a springboard to a traditional four year institution of higher learning. You can much of your two year required coursework out of the way and experiment with many different kinds of courses and majors.
Perhaps even more importantly, attending community college can give you a major financial age. There is a good chance that your public, in state, four year college or university offers transfer scholarships.
Most community college transfer scholarships will cover your tuition bill at the local in state college or university. So you didn’t get that full tuition scholarship out of high school? Well guess what? You can get it by excelling at community college. In this sense, your local community college can give you a great academic and financial opportunity, operating as your gateway to the rest of the world.
Viability of US Savings Bonds to Fund College
May 3, 2009 by admin
Filed under Free Money for College
Saving for college has become a priority for many American families. With most university tuition rates climbing every year at record pace, it can seem nearly impossible to send your children to a good college or university without going into deep debt. But it doesn’t have to be that way. With a little planning, you can make your college savings plan go a long way.
Using a US Savings Bond to Save for College
Many parents with young children wonder if it is viable to use US savings bonds as a savings vehicle for their children’s future education. The truth is that a US savings bond can be a great way to save for college for many families.
Most US savings bonds offer competitive interest rates, and they come with the added security of being backed by both federal and state governments, as well as being subject to certain income tax benefits from both levels of government. Here is some information about saving bonds and what they can do to help you save money for your child’s college education.
The Series EE Savings Bond
One of the most popular US savings bond vehicles that are purchased by parents who are looking to save money for their children’s college education is a US savings bond from the series EE savings bond series. Analysts have recently estimated that a US savings bond from the series EE that was purchased in 2006 will likely earn 3.2 fixed interest rate percentages over the life of that bond.
The Series I Savings Bond – AKA the I Bond
What about the series I savings bond? It is also commonly known as the I bond. What is the difference between the series I savings bond and a series EE US savings bond? The main difference is that the series I savings bond carries an interest rate that is determined by the federal government.
In general, the federal government determines the interest rate for the series I savings bond by determining a basic low fixed rate, as of now that is one percent, and then adding on an inflation rate to that that reflects the latest increases in the consumer price index.
How to Make Your Money Grow with a US Savings Bond
Regardless of whether you choose an I US savings bond or a Series EE savings bond, here are some basic things you should know about how to make your money grow. First, you should always wait at least one year before cashing in your US savings bond.
You should also know that in most cases you will forfeit at least three months interest if you decide to cash in your US savings bond within five years of your initial investment date.
Tax Incentives of US Savings Bonds
In most cases, you will find that your US savings bond comes with many attractive tax benefits. For interest, you will not have to pay taxes on your interest on your state tax form, and in many cases, your interest may also be free from federal taxes.
Why a US Savings Bond May Be a Better Option than a 529 Investment
In most cases, analysts predict that a US savings bond will tend to perform better than many 529 college savings investment plans. However, this strictly depends on what kind of 529 college savings investment vehicle you have chosen.
Some state 529 college savings plans will indeed outperform a US savings bond over the long haul. Much of this depends on the condition of the market in future years, inflation trends, and a number of other fluctuating conditions.
Your College Loan Options for the Future
May 3, 2009 by admin
Filed under Free Money for College
Heading off to college the first time is scary for anybody looking at the price for your college education may even scare you more. The good news is that there are many ways you can find your college education if you are willing to do your research and take the time to fill out the necessary applications.
Even if you have not saved for your college education for years, you can still go to college and find a loan that will help you get through the next few years. Here is a look at your college loan options for the future.
The Perkins Loan: If you have done your research on college loans you have probably heard of the Perkins loan. This alone is also called the Formerly National Defense Student Loan, the Perkins Loan Program and the National Direct Student Loan.
This alone is based on need and can provide you with a low interest loan to help you finance your college education. In addition, if you qualify for a Perkins loan over 1800 participating colleges will take the Perkins loan. This gives you plenty of opportunity to find a college that fits your needs.
If you are interested in taking out a needs-based college education among such as the Perkins loan, then you need to make sure that you qualify, you can do this by going online in learning more about this particular loan or speaking to your college education counselor about this loan.
Federal GRAD Plus Loan: This loan is for graduate students need financing for their graduate school. This one is also a needs-based loan and offers a low interest repayment after you have graduated. In order to qualify for this loan, you must be a citizen of the United States or an eligible noncitizen.
You also must be a student in a graduate or professional program and enrolled at least half of the time. Currently this loan has a fixed interest rate of 8.5%. The amount of money you will get when you apply for this loan will depend on your need and may vary from student to student.
You should also remember that when you take out the loan. You will not be responsible for repayment while you are in school. However it does accrue interest, while you are in school. You will be responsible for the total amount plus interest while you are repaying your loan after you have graduated.
Subsidized Stafford Loan: this loan is available to United States citizens or eligible noncitizen who are enrolled in a college program or professional program at least half of the time. The amount of loan that you will receive will depend on your financial needs.
Not everybody can qualify for this type of loan. The amount of money that you will receive with this loan is $3500 for the first year, $4500 for the second year, and for your third through fifth year in school, you can get $5500 each year.
If you are a graduate student and you qualify for this loan, you can get $8500. The interest rate on this loan is currently fixed at 6.8%. In addition, it is important to remember that your repayment schedule began six months after you graduate or, if your school enrollment drops below half-time.
You do have up to 10 years to repay this loan and extensions are granted in certain situations. There are a variety of ways to pay back this type of school loan. So you should check with your loan officer or the Internet for information about this very popular college education loan.
Pros and Cons of Pre-paid Tuition vs. 529 College Saving Plan
May 3, 2009 by admin
Filed under College Savings Tips
There are so many ways for concerned parents to plan for their children’s future educational expenses. There are federal and state educational tax credits, savings bonds, savings accounts, and now, states 529 college savings incentives programs. These state 529 college savings incentives programs are relatively new, and many parents do not know whether they are suited for their financial needs.
We investigate the nature of these state 529 college savings incentives programs and what you can expect from the different types of state 529 college savings incentives programs.
Pre-paid Tuition vs. 529 College Savings Plans – Two Sides of the Same Coin
Many parents find themselves trying to decide between investing in either a pre-paid tuition program or a state 529 college savings incentives programs. The truth is that both of these represent two sides of the same coin. In truth, both of these types of plans are officially known as ‘section 529’ plans because they are both described under the same tax code and are subject to many of the same benefits. Even so, they are different and are often subject to different restrictions and benefits.
What’s All the Fuss with State Pre-Paid Tuition Plans? Pros Offer Peace of Mind
Again, a state pre-paid tuition plan is just another kind of a state 529 college savings incentives program. When it comes to a state pre-paid tuition plan, here is the basic gist of it. A state pre-paid tuition program, as the name implies, allows you to pay for your child’s tuition rates right now.
That means that you can, in essence, ‘lock in’ the current tuition rate. That way you will not be subject to the rising costs of tuition rates. This is a concern for many parents, who watch the current trend of rising tuition costs every year in despair.
Pre-paid Cons - Restrictions Abound with Pre-Paid Tuition Plans
Pre-paid tuition plans can come with associated restrictions, so make sure you understand them before you enroll. First, there is generally a firm age limit on state pre-paid tuition plans. Most state pre-paid tuition plans have a broad age limit that usually ranges from the time your child is a newborn to the time they are a senior in high school, but make sure to note the age limit when you are considering plans.
Also, there often restrictions on when you can enroll in your state’s pre-paid tuition plan. These pre-paid plans usually have special enrollment periods that mirror the enrollment period for insurance plans and the like.
Consult your state’s web site if you are not sure when to enroll. Furthermore, most state pre-paid tuition plans have restrictions on the types of expenses that they will cover. In most cases, state pre-paid investment plans will cover just that –state tuition and mandatory associated fees.
Considering a Traditional 529 Savings Plan? Pros You Can Live With
What about state 529 college savings incentives programs? Like most pre-paid college tuition programs, a state program allows you access too many federal tax incentives, including tax-free withdrawals, HOPE and Lifetime Learning tax credits, and other favorable federal tax credits. In general, a state 529 college savings incentives program allows you maximum flexibility. Most allow year-round enrollment and do not carry age limits.
Keeping Up With Inflation – Cons of the Traditional 529 Savings Plans
There are some cons associated with many state 529 college savings incentives programs. Some argue that while saving for college is good, some 529 savings plans may not be able to keep up with the growing trend of tuition increases. Like any type of investment, state 529 college savings incentives programs may simply lose their value over time.
What the TIPS Means in the 529 College Savings Plans
May 3, 2009 by admin
Filed under College Savings Tips
In order to understand what the Treasury Inflation-Protection Securities (TIPS means in 529 plans it is important to understand what a 529 Plan is. A 529 Plan is an investment plan to save specifically for a college education.
The 529 Plan, named after the code in the IRS tax code corresponding to the plan, is often used by parents as a way to set aside money for a child’s future college education when they are still young that utilizes investments in stocks and other investment tools in order to not only put money aside for that child’s college education but to increase the amount of the original investment through interest rates and return rates on particular investments.
Since the 529 Plan is a state based investment, the state sets up an account with an asset management company of its own choice and the parents open a 529 Plan account with that asset management company. The parents deal directly with the asset management company, not the state. When parents sign up for a 529 Plan they have two options in terms of how they structure their investment.
The first option when investing in a 529 Plan is to prepay tuition at a participating educational institution at the current tuition rates, guarding against tuition inflation. The downside to this option is obviously that the child must then attend that particular college and won’t have a have a choice of schools when it is ready to move forward to a college education.
The child may not want to attend that particular school or may not have the credentials necessary to be admitted to that school. Parents also take the risk that school will no longer be in business by the time the child is ready to attend. The advantage is that with the huge rise in tuition costs yearly the parents will be able to lock in a low tuition rate for their child’s education.
The second investment option when investing in a 529 Plan gives parents the chance to put money into a tax-deferred earnings account that can only be used to pay for their child’s education.
The advantage of this method is that the child can attend any college they choose or can qualify for. The disadvantage is that parents will be paying the current tuition rate at the time that the child attends the college, which might be significantly more than the tuition rates offered now.
Regardless of which plan the parents choose, the basic idea of the 529 Plan is the same. Parents are investing money with the idea that the earnings on that investment will grow to meet the costs of a future college education for their child. The second option is usually the one preferred by parents.
When parents open a 529 Plan account they are agreeing to let their investment be handled by the asset management company chosen by the state. The asset management company may decide to put part of the initial investment in stock and part of the investment in fixed-income securities to maximize the return potential and the potential growth of the investment.
This type of allocation plan is preferred because it offers investors a balanced return over the period of the investment. In order to protect the investor against rising inflation costs, as much as one half of the investment that is designated for fixed income securities can be placed in Treasury Inflation-Protection Securities or TIPS which provide protection for the investor against inflation.
So asset management companies invest the money of parents who are buying 529 Plan accounts to pay for their child’s future education in Treasury Inflation-Protection Securities or TIPS to protect that investment from inflation over the course of the investment term.
Important Steps to Take when Saving for College
May 3, 2009 by admin
Filed under College Savings Tips
It’s time to look at some important steps to take when saving for college. The time to save is right now. It’s never too late to state a plan. Consider these tips for education savings.
Step 1. Start early. The sooner you start saving, the less you’ll need to save each year to reach your goal. The day your child arrives is not too soon to begin saving! You can take advantage of investments that promise greater returns. You can take advantage of volatile investments that are too risky for short-term college savings.
Step 2. Set up a budget. You should make a savings goal. Look at the Internet for a college cost calculator to get a rough idea of what you need to save. Then figure out how much you can put away each month to reach this goal.
Step 3. Save regularly. Get into the habit of investing a set amount of money monthly. This will set the habit of education future planning. Not a good saver? Have an automatic payroll deduction made or an automatic deposit withdrawn. This way the money is out of your checking account before you can use it.
Step 4. Use professional assistance. That’s what they’re there for. Unless you are a financial wizard yourself, talk with an experienced accountant, financial advisor or lawyer. Ask what they are doing for their children. It helps to know that your advisor can personally relate to your college savings strategy.
Step 5. Think about a 529 plan. Even if you haven’t started saving as early as you had planned a 529 plan or even a Coverdell ESA are still useful. The 529 plans offer many tax advantages. Your money will actually grow in a tax-deferred style and if your withdrawals are qualified, they will be exempt from federal income tax. Many states even give tax deductions from state income tax. Check with your state’s 529 provider for more details.
Step 6. Save in the parent or guardian’s name, not the child’s. This minimizes the impact of the fund on need-based financial aid. Also, this will prevent an irresponsible child from using their education savings fund or 529 for non-qualified purchases.
Step 7. Diversify your investments. For example it is better to invest in mutual funds than just stocks. Mutual funds spread out the risk over many stocks, which can prevent the drop in value of one stock from ruining the value of your whole portfolio. Or invest in both stocks and bonds. A good plan would be to have a mix of high and low risk investments.
An age-based 529 savings plan is a simple way to balance your portfolio. Younger children have a higher percentage of high-risk investments than older children. As children are just a few years from college, an age-based 529 plan would have almost all funds invested in low risk investments.
Step 8. Be flexible. A great new college program may be available just a few short years from now. Tax laws will change and your income circumstances may change, too. Review the steps you’re taking from time to time and be willing to make adjustments.
If you find that the assumptions behind your investment plan are not correct or your tolerance for risk has changed, you may need to change your investments. Don’t sell an investment just because the market is low; sell because of how the investment is predicted to do in the future.
There are so many important steps to take when saving for college. Any money you are able to tuck away today makes the road to college that much smoother for your child.
The Lowdown On Prepaid vs Savings 529 College Savings Account
May 3, 2009 by admin
Filed under College Savings Tips
As costs keep mounting out of control trying to decide which plan to save for college is becoming harder and harder for every parent. Two savings plans have popped up recently that may help take the sting out of the high cost of college education for future students. The prepaid plan vs the 529 college savings plan. Which will work best for you is dependent on many different factors that we will look over.
Some things in common with both plans is you need to start young and that can't really be enforced enough with any kind of savings plan for college. The prepaid plan is where you buy tuition credits at today's rates and use them when your child is ready for school. This helps defray the costs for you. The biggest drawback in this program is you really don't know how many credits you are going to need.
This is dependent on what your child's major could be and also which college they decide to go to. Now you may also have to factor in that not every college will participate into the program. These are all things to consider before going with the prepaid route.
The 529 college savings plan is where you put into an account and let it grow over time. This is tax free and you can start this when they are real young and have a nice little sum waiting for the college student when they are ready. The biggest drawback with this play is the fees they charge for this. These fees are starting to get lower, but vary from state to state.
As Congress has stepped in and helped watch these programs they are getting better and are becoming more user friendly than ever before. At one time many of these prepaid and college savings plans were changing about every six months, which made picking a plan for your child almost impossible. So, which plan is best for your child? This will depend on many factors.
Costs are always going up and that will never change. Probably one of the first things to look is a two year or four year college. If the two-year college is in your child's future than probably the prepaid system may work best for you. Now if the four-year college is more to their liking than maybe the investment would work out a lot better.
Each case is different and it will take time and research to determine which is best. The other factors will include where you can get the best deal and how much you have to pay out is always something to consider. Different states have different plans and watch out for brokers who will try to sell you higher policies in other states. Do a little research and you could save a lot of money in the long run.
Don't be afraid to ask questions and get the answers you need. It's your money you’re spending and your child's education is one of the investments that will last a lifetime. Nothing is wrong with getting the best for your money. Prepaid or savings account is something you will need to decide and which one fits best into your budget.
Both plans are good, but have drawbacks that you will need to consider. No matter which one you choose though the money you save will be worth it as your child or grandchild will reap many benefits from your wise decision early in their life. Education is knowledge and as they know more they will earn more just a fact of life.

