Be smart with 529 savings plans to maximize financial aid
Here are some saving strategies using 529 savings plans that may help students maximize their eligibility for financial aid.
Category: College Savings
529 plans updated: Computers are now a qualified expense
Computers, laptops, and related technology are now considered a qualified college expense for 529 plans.
Planning strategies for federal college aid
Understanding federal financial aid for college
Navigating multiple options for college savings
Parents identify saving as a top strategy to meet college costs.
Ways to use a 529 to avoid costly mistakes in financial aid
Families want to save for college and maximize their child’s eligibility for financial aid. There are ways to use a 529 plan to meet both goals.
Tax advantages of college savings plans
As college costs continue to rise, it’s more important than ever for families to understand the tax advantages of saving.
Consider college savings when making a year-end gift
For investors still contemplating year-end gift ideas, consider giving the gift of education to grandchildren. There is still time to make a gift and fund a 529 college savings plan. The annual gifting limit for 2014 is $14,000 for individuals. A 529 college savings plan also offers a gift tax exclusion that allows five years’
Three ways “back to school” may benefit grandparents
This fall, some 78 million American students from kindergarten to college will head back to school. Planning for school can involve more than students Grandparents can also benefit from their own “back-to-school” preparation. Advisors can help clients understand gifting strategies that can help grandchildren cover their college costs and deliver tax benefits to grandparents at
Keep student debt down with a 529 plan
At a record $1 trillion, outstanding student debt is second only to mortgages as the largest source of household debt, the Fed reported. That trend is likely to continue. With the average cost of a four-year degree from a public university at $30,000, the need to borrow continues to rise. Of the 37 million Americans
Six strategies for maximizing college financial aid
Preparing to apply for college financial aid should begin well before a student even fills out his or her first college application. In fact, saving early and understanding the application process are important actions to take in order to maximize the potential for financial aid. SchoolFamily.com offers a college preparation guide with 15 ways to