College Resources & News from CFNC
The cost of college is on the rise, and no generation knows that better than millennials. Many young parents today are still paying off their own student loans; while trying to save for their children’s education. The good news is, starting a college fund while your child is young gives you a good amount of time to create a solid nest egg for their future.
Congratulations to Andy Ewens, Ph.D., of Cary, North Carolina! Andy is the winner of the “Dream Big 5/29 Day Drawing to Win $5,529” in celebration of National 529 College Savings Plan Day. Andy’s name was selected at random from a long list of entries.
Most parents understand how important it is to save for college. While a 529 plan is one of the most efficient and effective ways for families to save for school, many parents don’t know how to choose the right 529 plan. How is a parent supposed to choose the right 529 plan based on its performance?
To give students and parents something to cheer about, North Carolina’s National College Savings Program (NC 529 Plan) is giving away $5,529!
Beyond deciding how much you can afford to save each month, you also need to figure out where to save your money.
Thinking about your child’s future and taking steps to help them reach their education and career dreams are important decisions. There are many options when deciding how to save for a child’s education. Parents can choose anything from a good old-fashioned savings account to savings bonds or mutual funds. However, many financial experts recommend parents consider 529 plans.
For parents with very small children, thinking about dropping them off at college for their freshman year may seem very far away. Thinking about saving money for college may seem even farther in the distance. Yet, young parents today know first-hand how expensive college has become — because they’re probably still paying off student loans from their own educations!
Plenty of people will tell you about the importance of college. They’ll tell you about how college graduates earn more during their lifetimes. They’ll tell you about how the value of college extends far beyond the academic experience. What they may not tell you is how you’re supposed to pay for it.
Picture this. Your student is getting ready to go off to college for the first time. For years, you have contributed to their education savings plan, helping to make their dream of higher education a reality. As you prepare to send in the first payment from your 529 account, you want to ensure that your student is attending an eligible institution so it counts as a qualified withdrawal.
Preparing to send a child off to college requires a good amount of financial preparation. Sure, you’ve accounted for the basics that everyone knows all too well. You’ve considered tuition, room and board, and textbooks. But what about the extra costs associated with a college education? Are you prepared for those?