When should I begin saving for my child’s college?
Use this calculator to determine when to start saving for college and to help illustrate what a small amount of monthly savings might grow to if you start today.
Should I live at home, on campus, or off campus?
Use this calculator to help determine whether living on or off campus is better and to see the costs associated with these alternatives.
What are the payments on a parental (PLUS) loan?
PLUS loans are low-interest federally insured loans for parents of undergraduate students to help pay a dependent student's college cost. PLUS loans are also available to graduate and professional students. The rate is fixed 2.75% for loans made on or after July 1, 2020.
What is the value of a college education?
It may surprise you that, on average, an individual with a bachelor's degree earns approximately $82,576 per year, compared to the $46,228 average yearly salary of a worker with a high school diploma. Use this calculator to see the value of a college education.
What are the advantages of a 529 college savings plan?
Tax-deferral can have a dramatic affect on the growth of an investment. With a state-sponsored 529 College Savings Plan your contributions can grow tax-deferred (some states allow contributions to be partially or completely deductible) and distributed income tax-free as long as distributions are used for qualified education expenses such as tuition, fees, room and board at higher education institutions.
What are the advantages of a Coverdell ESA?
Tax-deferral can have a dramatic effect on the growth of an investment. With the new Coverdell ESA (formerly known as the Education IRA) your contributions can grow tax-deferred and distributed income tax-free as long as distributions are used for qualified education expenses. These costs can include school uniforms, computers, and transportation for elementary or secondary school, public, private or religious. An annual limit of $2,000 per year for any individual under age 18 applies. Once the beneficiary reaches age 18 they can take control of the account but funds must be used by the time the beneficiary turns 30 years of age or transferred to a younger sibling. The ability to contribute to a Coverdell ESA is phased out based on the Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI). The annual contribution deadline is April 15 of the following year.
Calculate your ability to pay back student loans.
When you borrow money for college you might not be thinking about your ability to repay the loan once you graduate. Outstanding student loan balances may infringe upon your ability to qualify for a home, auto and other personal loans. Use our student loan calculator to help gauge the feasibility of your student loan repayment with your anticipated future income. The government provides a wealth of information on potential student loan debt based on program, career or location.
How much should I be saving for college?
With college costs increasing at twice the rate of inflation, it is important to start saving early. Interest working for you now in a regular savings program is much better than having interest work against you in the future in the form of education loans. Use our college savings calculator to determine how much you should be saving for college on a regular basis.