For most parents, there are few things that rival the anxiety associated with wondering how they are going to pay for their children’s education without completely eliminating their hopes for retirement.
Two common causes of college planning stress are:
1) little to no comprehension of what a college education will cost
2) procrastinating on when to start saving.
It's surprising how individuals who have substantial incomes still look at that college obligation sometime way off in the distant future.
Ask any mom or dad of a high school senior and they will most certainly tell you that the time went by oh so fast!
Here are some steps that can be taken to greatly reduce this stressful time:
1. Get an accurate evaluation of your personal financial situation and clearly spell out what all of your financial goals are.
Before building a paying-for-college plan, it is imperative to know all the resources you have at your disposal.
2. Calculate the actual projected costs of college for all kids in your family. Most families need this reality check because they greatly underestimate the current cost, the rate of inflation, as well as the number of years that it will actually take their kids to receive a degree.
3. Draft a paying-for-college plan. Financial market volatility and escalating college costs have translated into the need for a much more formalized plan to accomplish the important objective of successfully sending the kids to college.
Understand that there are many pieces to a successful college plan and educate yourself about your options. College selection, financial aid, merit based aid, modest student loans, athletic aid and parental contributions are all possible components of your paying-for-college plan.
Getting a plan in writing is key, then it can be tweaked and modified as needed.
4. Start saving! Doing the math, in order to have college costs covered when the time comes, you should be saving $200 per month for a newborn, $350 per month for a first grader, $450 per month for a fifth grader, and it goes up from there. If you wait for high school, you're probably looking at $1,000 per month.
Paying for college does not have to be so stressful. Planning NOW is the remedy.
Happy Planning,
Tom and Maria Geffers
Tom & Maria of Career and College Counselors can help you choose the Right Career, the Right Major, the Right College and Graduate in 4 years with the least amount of money out of pocket.
We can help your college application RISE TO THE TOP!
570-445-4244