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Whether you are saving for your own education or the education of a loved one, a 529 account can help you prepare for the future.  Learn all about these tax-advantaged savings accounts in a webinar hosted by Mary Morris, former chair of CSF and currently the CEO of Virginia529, the nation’s largest 529 savings plan.

•Why Save For College?
•Is a College Education worth it?
•What is College going to Cost?

•How do Families Typically Save for College?
•Concerns with Borrowing.
•State of College Savings.

WHY SAVING FOR COLLEGE?

Throughout history, education has played a key role in the individual success story. From the children of families arriving at our shores over two centuries ago to the children of families arriving on our shores today, education has played a big role in the American dream and has been a key element of financial and social success. For most American families, higher education provides their children the skills and critical thinking needed to become independent, productive and happy adults.
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Is a College Education worth it?

Absolutely – it’s about future earnings and independence. Over a lifetime, the earnings gap between Bachelors or Associates degree-holders, and High School diploma-holders widens, and its impact can be significant. Research shows that college degrees produce greater financial success.

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What is College going to Cost?

Quite a lot. In recent decades, tuition costs have outpaced the Consumer Price Index of inflation. While there are different ways to save on costs, including starting at a 2-year community college and transferring to a 4-year institution, college does remain expensive. Keep in mind that saving a portion of college costs may help put you in good shape while reducing reliance on borrowing.

Projections provided by Invite Education based on average tuition & fees for 2018-2019 as reported The College Board® and assumed to increase 5% annually. (This is a hypothetical example for illustrative purposes only.)

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How do Families Typically Save for College

Most families use a combination of savings, scholarships/grants and borrowing to pay for college. In 2017-2018, parent income and savings was the #1 source of college funding. Nearly half (47%) of college costs were paid out of pocket by a combination of parents’ and student’s income and savings.

Source: How America Pays for College 2018 National Study by Sallie Mae & Ipsos (https://www.salliemae.com/about/leading-research/how-america-pays-for-college/)

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Concerns with Borrowing

At over $1.3 trillion, national student debt is at historic highs, exceeding both the nation’s credit card and auto loan debt levels, with no end in sight. Student debt stays with an individual for their lifetime – and sometimes beyond – and plays a large role in how soon college graduates are able to purchase their first home, or start their own family.

Previous generations have funded higher education through indebtedness, but with tuition rising faster than inflation, it is not sustainable for many families to take out higher interest rate loans and simultaneously cut expenses enough to cover college costs. By starting early to save for college, one will need to borrow less, if at all, when ready for college. In other words, it’s cheaper to save now, than it will be to borrow later.

borrowing

So how can a family hope to prepare itself financially to meet these costs? Save little and save often. Put time on your side.

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State of College Savings

Saving is a critical piece of a family’s overall college funding strategy. The College Savings Foundation’s annual State of College Savings Survey of hundreds of parents showed that those parents who invested in 529s and those who saved with automatic savings plans – each saved more than parents without those strategies. Start as early as possible with systematic contributions – and put time on your side.

This hypothetical example estimates future savings amounts at different regular monthly contribution levels for different time periods. It assumes an initial investment of $2,500, annual investment return of 6% and includes some simplifying assumptions. The information is for illustrative purposes only and assumes no withdrawals during the applicable time period. The illustration is provided by Invite Education and does not represent any particular investment, nor does it account for inflation, expenses, or taxes. Account values will fluctuate with market conditions and other factors, and investments may lose value.

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