Saving For College: What Every Family Should Know

Higher learning doesn't come cheap, and manyearned to roll over into the CD's value. In other
families struggle to pay for the annual tuition costswords, you can literally earn interest on your interest
necessary for their children's education. In otherdepending on the plan that you purchase. Unlike U.S.
cases, college students work while attending schoolSavings Bonds, however, income taxes are due and
or even take out student loans to help cover thepayable each year for the interest earned on a
costs. One way to avoid the stress is to start savingCertificate of Deposit. If you find yourself in a
early, and this can be done in a number of ways. U.S.situation where there are no savings available for
Savings Bonds are a popular way for many individualscollege tuition, students are often permitted to take
and families to save money. With both the Series Ifewer classes and simply pay for each course
Bonds, which are sold at face value, and the Seriesindividually. This prevents families from having to
EE Bonds, which are sold at half their face value, youproduce a full-time tuition when the money simply
can earn interest for up to 30 years. According toisn't available. Financial aid, student loans and payment
the most recent brochure, investing $100.00 perplans are typically offered to students who qualify,
month into U.S. Savings Bonds could possibly equalwhich may make the a college degree within reach
$24,609.00 in 15 years. This is, however, only anfor many who may otherwise not be able to afford
example and the actual figure will be based uponthe tuition expenses. The information contained in this
current rates and the investor's ability to save. Bestarticle is designed to be used for reference purposes
of all, the interest earned on savings bonds isonly. It should not be used as, in place of or in
exempt from all state and local income taxes. Federalconjunction with professional financial advice or
income taxes are deferred until the bonds reach finalrecommendations relating to incomes taxes,
maturity, or until they are redeemed, whicheverinvestments and/or the ability to pay for college
comes first. In some cases, the interest earned mayusing any of the aforementioned methods. For
be excluded from federal income taxes if the fundsadditional information, consult a financial planner in
are used to pay for qualified higher educationyour area.
expenses. Another popular method of saving isLeslie's writing is made possible by the support of
through Certificates of Deposit, also known as CDs,several family-friendly online shops offering
which are available at most financial institutions.everything from leather cleaner for furniture care to
Although these require a larger investment, typically acheap wedding favors, groomsmen gifts and more.
minimum of $1,000.00, they allow for the interest