Services and Research
Services and Research
Related Articles
Forum Links
Related Links
A Comprehensive Guide to Educational Finances

“If you think education is expensive, just wait until you find out how expensive it is without one!”

Welcome to our guide to educational finances! There are 2,657,000 new students (2005 figure, per the Statistical Abstract of the United States) entering college in the U.S. every year, and our personal experiences indicate that no one really understand how to work the educational financing system until they have gone through it. And by then, it is usually too late. We compile this guide with the best intention that can be summarized as: We wish we knew this when we were in high school!

The vast majority of the information you attain from this guide will be of great assistance to both students and the parents alike. This guide’s aim is to provide financial assistance to many, including: current high school students and their parents; current undergraduates and their parents; current graduate students; those recent college graduates, and what many refer to as current professionals; and finally, this guide will help parents plan for the cost of tuition who have a child under the age of 12.

Of course, you may choose to read this entire tutorial, but most people appreciate information specifically relevant to who and where they currently are. Therefore, the information has been divided in order to individually address your needs. It is suggested you begin by determining which of the following categories you fall under:

  1. Everyone, except those currently employed (a professional):
  1. A senior in high school or their parent:
  1. Current college students - undergraduate and graduate:
  1. Getting out of school – graduating and graduated from college:
  1. Parents of children in high school and under:
  1. High school students - freshmen to juniors:

The information contained in this guide will be of assistance to each group listed above. Although, if you’re already halfway through college then there’s obviously little need to study-up on information pertinent for the parent’s of a 5 year old.

Top 4 Educational Finances Tools & Tips

1.) Figure out how much it will the cost so you know what to expect.
Knowledge is power - it is hard to prepare for it when you don't know the costs.

2.) Set up a 529 Savings Plan early for your child.
All your conrtibutions are tax free and can be transferred to members within the family.

3.) Maximize the amount scholarships dollars you can get.
Scholarships do not require repayment! It is well worth the time spent writing the essays.

  • A Guide to Obtaining Merit-Based Scholarships
  • Fastweb - scholarship search engine

4.) If you do need an outside loan, make sure it is the lowest rate you can find.
Unlike most federal and school loans, these do collect interest while you are in school!

 

We always value your feedbacks and suggestions to improve our guides.  As a matter of fact, we love to hear from our readers!  You are the inspiration that keeps us moving foward.

 

 

  

 

 

 Related Articles
Disclosure | User Agreement | Privacy Policy | Site Map | Contact
©Copyright 2006 Money Economics. All rights reserved.