Education Planning Articles |
Planning For The Cost Of Higher Education
On average, male and female college graduates with a bachelor’s degree earn 60% and 65% more per year, respectively, than high school graduates.* Clearly, one of the best investments you can make for your children is an investment in their educational future.
You may think that setting up a bank savings account for your two-year-old’s education will get him or her off to great start. You might, however, want to think again. According to The College Board’s Trends in College Pricing 2007 and Standard & Poor's, the projected average cost for your newborn's four-year degree at a public college could total $128,000. You would have to sock away $3,523 per year in a savings account, assuming it earns interest at a hypothetical average rate of 8% per year and that college costs rise at a rate of 5% annually, to equal that amount by his or her freshman year. And should your child decide to attend a private college, tack on about $175,000 more to your savings goal, bringing your savings account annual contribution to $8,376.
But don’t despair yet. Even without time on your side — if your children are teenagers, for example — a sound investment strategy coupled with knowledge of other college financing options may put your children on the road to a valuable four-year college degree.
*Source: The College Board, 2007.
Invest Early And On A Regular Schedule
As with any large savings goal, it’s best to start investing early and often for college. First, set your goal: Figure out how much you may need to save for each child based on his/her age (see accompanying table). Then, develop an investment plan and stick with it. Consider discussing the following guidelines with your financial professional when developing your investment plan.If Your Final Tuition Bill Is Due In 12 To 22 Years…
With time on your side, your portfolio can potentially withstand a bit of volatility in your quest for higher return potential. You might want to consider investing the majority of your college-saving assets in stocks and stock mutual funds as measured by the S&P 500, as these investments have historically provided the greatest long-term growth potential. Of course, past performance is not indicative of future results. For example, a one-dollar investment made in the Standard & Poor’s Composite Index of 500 Stocks (an unmanaged index of common stocks generally considered representative of the U.S. stock market ) at the end of 1988 would have grown to $8.49 by year-end 2007.** Comparing that to an equal amount invested in lower-risk, lower-returning money market investments over the same period of time, and your investment would have amounted to only $2.53.***
Of course, past performance cannot guarantee future results. You must remember the volatility and risks involved in stock investing and consider your ability to withstand potential fluctuations in the value of your child’s college savings.
**Source: Standard & Poor’s. Performance is for the period Dec. 31, 1987, to Dec. 31, 2007. Standard & Poor’s Composite Index of 500 Stocks is an unmanaged index generally considered representative of the U.S. large-cap stock market. Money market accounts are represented by the return of 3-month Treasury bills. Past performance cannot guarantee future results. Individuals cannot invest directly in any index. Results include reinvested dividends. Keep in mind that unlike investments, which involve risk and possible loss of principal, bank savings accounts are FDIC-insured.
***An investment in a money market fund is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. Although the fund seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $1.00 per share, it is possible to lose money by investing in the fund. Money market accounts are represented by returns of 3-month Treasury bills.
| Projected Average Costs for Four Years at Public and Private Colleges |
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Source: The College Board; Standard & Poor's, October, 2007. Based on 2007 to 2008 academic year.
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If Your Final Tuition Bill Is Due In 8 To 11 Years
… In addition to keeping your portfolio aimed toward growth potential with stocks and stock mutual funds, you might want to add or increase a fixed-income element to balance risk. Also, now is probably a good time to teach your child about investing — by encouraging that a portion of the dollars earned through paper routes and babysitting be contributed to the college savings plan.
If Your Final Tuition Bill Is Due In Less Than 8 Years
… You may start allocating more of your portfolio to fixed-income and money market investments. If you have virtually nothing saved, you have a challenge ahead of you, but some cost-cutting in other areas of your life might allow you to make substantial monthly investments. The less you have saved, the more you may need to be aggressive in your investments in seeking higher returns, as long as you have the appropriate risk tolerance.
Considerations
Although many investments, including stocks and bonds, have traditionally outpaced savings accounts in terms of performance, past performance cannot guarantee future results. Bear in mind, too, that unlike savings accounts, investments are not insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC); therefore, negative performance could result in a loss.
Also remember that any investment plan needs a fresh look every year or so to determine whether adjustments need to be made. Generally, changes should be made as your time horizon narrows, the day nears when you will send your child off to college, and preservation of principal becomes a primary concern.
| For More Information, You May Want to Consult:‡ |
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Other Financing Options
Beginning your investment plan by considering the time frame available to you is probably your best bet in seeking to meet college costs. In addition, consider these options:
Encourage Savings Gifts
When relatives ask what your children want for birthdays or holidays, encourage gifts that will help finance their education. Though it may not be a child’s first choice now, they’ll thank you later. Such gifts include Series EE Savings Bonds; shares of a mutual fund given through the Uniform Gifts/Transfers to Minors Acts (UGMA/UTMA); and zero-coupon bonds‡‡ that mature in a given year around college enrollment. [Parents or others can contribute up to $2,000 annually (per child) to a Coverdell Education Savings Account (formerly known as the Education IRA) where any earnings can accumulate tax-free and qualified withdrawals can be made tax-free for qualified college expenses.‡‡‡] An individual can make annual gifts of up to $12,000, gift tax-free (in 2008), to a minor under UGMA/UTMA. And friends and family can pay any amount directly to a youngster’s college for tuition and fees, with no gift-tax consequences.
Remember to consult your tax advisor on the tax considerations of each of these gifts so you’re not caught off guard by Uncle Sam.
Apply for Financial Aid
Even if you think you’re ineligible for financial aid, complete the applications and mail them in on time. According to the College Board, there was more than $135 billion in financial aid available during 2007, the most recent year studied.
Don’t Rule Out Less Expensive Schools.
Public universities and community colleges can be among the best options. Higher education is certainly one area where most expensive does not necessarily mean best.
Develop Networks And Ask Questions.
High-school guidance counselors, religious and civic organizations, and the colleges your child applies to can all provide good leads for additional sources of scholarships, grants, and loans. The more you ask, the more you will learn.
Conduct Research
Many organizations, including the U.S. government, offer alternatives such as loans and grants to help finance higher education.
Together, time and a smart investing strategy comprise your best bet for meeting the rising costs of higher education. Combine that bet with a little creativity and a lot of information, and you can help provide your children with an investment that no one can take away: a college education.
In this process, which can be daunting, your financial professional can be a valuable resource.
Keep in mind that the value of zero-coupon bonds fluctuates more than regular funds and therefore may not be suitable for investors with liquidity needs.
Income restrictions apply, and penalties may be assessed for nonqualified withdrawals.
Points To Remember
- On average college graduates earn about twice as much per year as high-school graduates.
- To help meet rising college costs, build an investment strategy: Determine how much you’ll need, choose proper investments, and invest regularly.
- Longer time horizons are an opportunity to potentially benefit from growth stock and stock fund investments.
- As your time horizon shortens, adjustments may need to be made in your college saving portfolio.
- Encourage savings gifts from friends and relatives.
- Apply for financial aid, even if you don’t think you’re eligible.
- Don’t rule out less expensive schools.
