Planning for the cost of higher education

Key Points

• Projected College Costs
• A Sound Strategy
• Goal: Final Tuition Bill Due in 12 to 22 Years
• Goal: Final Tuition Bill Due in 8 to 11 Years
• Goal: Final Tuition Bill Due in Less Than 8 Years
• Considerations
• Other Financing Options
• Points to remember

On average, male and female college graduates with a bachelor's degree earn 63% and 70% more per year, respectively, than high school graduates.¹ 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 newborn's education will get him or her off to a great start. You might, however, want to think again. According to 2008 data from The College Board, the projected average cost for your newborn's four-year degree at a public college could total over $150,000. You would have to sock away almost $5,100 per year in a savings account, assuming it earns interest at an average rate of 5% per year, to equal that amount by his or her freshman year. And should your child decide to attend a private college, tack on about $207,000 more to your savings goal, bringing your savings account annual contribution to more than $12,000.²

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.

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Projected College Costs

The College Board; Standard & Poor's. Based on 2008-2009 academic year. CS000113.

Assumes 5.5% annual increase and current 1-year cost of 4-year public ($14,333) and 4-year private ($34,132).

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A Sound Strategy

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 will need to save for each child based on his or her age (see accompanying chart). Then, develop an investment plan and stick with it. Consider discussing the following guidelines with your financial advisor when developing your plan.

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Goal: Final Tuition Bill 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 returns. You might want to consider investing the majority of your college savings assets in stocks, as these investments have historically provided the greatest long-term growth potential. 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 $5.05 by year-end 2008.³ Compare that to an equal amount invested in lower-risk, lower-returning money market investments over the same period of time; your investment would have amounted to only $2.41.³ Of course, past performance can't guarantee future results. You must remember the volatility involved in stock investing and consider your ability to wait out potential fluctuations in the value of your child's college savings.

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Goal: Final Tuition Bill Due in 8 to 11 Years

In addition to keeping your portfolio aimed toward growth 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.

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Goal: Final Tuition Bill 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.

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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, your investments' value may fluctuate a great deal over time and could even result in a loss. Also remember that any investment plan needs a fresh look every year or so to determine if 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.

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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 called the Education IRA) where any earnings can accumulate tax free and withdrawals can be made tax free for qualified education expenses. An individual can make annual gifts of up to $13,000, gift tax free, 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 brief yourself on the tax considerations of each of these gifts so you're not caught off guard by Uncle Sam.
• Section 529 Plans: These state-sponsored plans allow individuals to invest in a predetermined investment pool and offer some flexibility on when you can contribute. All qualified higher education expenses are federally tax free. Withdrawals may also be free of state taxes for residents of states that allow this benefit.
• Apply for financial aid: Each year, there are millions available in financial aid from a variety of organizations and schlorship funds.Even if you think you're ineligible for financial aid, complete the applications and mail them in on time.
• 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.

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.

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Points to Remember

1. On average, college graduates earn significantly more per year than high school graduates.
2. To help meet rising college costs, build an investment strategy: Determine how much you'll need, choose proper investments, and invest regularly.
3. Longer time horizons are an opportunity to potentially benefit from growth stock and stock fund investments.
4. As your time horizon shortens, adjustments may need to be made in your college savings portfolio.
5. Encourage savings gifts from friends and relatives.
6. Apply for financial aid, even if you don't think you're eligible.
7. Don't rule out less expensive schools.

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¹Source: The College Board, 2007.

²Sources: Standard & Poor's; The College Board, 2008. Cost estimates are based on the 2008-2009 academic year and assume that costs increase by 5.5% annually. Figures include tuition, fees, and room and board. Keep in mind that unlike money market investments, which involve risk and possible loss of principal, bank savings accounts are FDIC-insured.

³Source: Standard & Poor's; Barclays Capital. Performance is for the period from January 1, 1989, to December 31, 2008. Standard & Poor's Composite Index of 500 Stocks is an unmanaged index generally considered representative of the U.S. stock market. Money market accounts are represented by the returns of the Barclays 3-month Treasury Bill index (prior to November 2008, this index was compiled by Lehman Brothers). Individuals cannot invest directly in any index. Results include reinvested dividends. An investment in a money market fund is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. Although a Money Market fund seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $1.00 per share, it is possible to lose money by investing in a fund. Past performance is not a guarantee of future results.