SAFE, SMART COLLEGE FUNDING STRATEGIES Although costs are rising, there are ways to ensure those you love receive higher education.
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FOREWORD Thank you for your time and interest! This booklet was created as an educational guide to bring you greater clarity and understanding of the financial decisions you make. If you need more information on a subject discussed, we welcome your email and will attempt to get you the answers you need. Please be mindful as you read this; everyone’s financial situation is different. So any product or solution must match your specific financial picture. We strongly recommend you consult with a highly-rated professional about every financial decision you make. Because, just as not all products are created equal, neither are all financial professionals, and the difference in knowledge and advice can be substantial from one advisor to another. Working with a highly knowledgeable, independent, well-rated professional can make all the difference when it comes to the results you achieve. If you are ready to explore your retirement options and want some help cutting through the clutter and jargon, visit www.CertifiedSafeMoney.com for unbiased information and to connect with professionals who can answer all of your most pressing questions. If you ever have feedback related to this booklet or concerns about your retirement income and financial security, please email us at [email protected]. We’re happy to help. 3 [email protected] www.certifiedsafemoney.com CSM202101COLLEGEFUNDING
THE COST OF A COLLEGE EDUCATION CONTINUES TO RISE. If you have children or grandchildren planning to attend either a private or public university, implementing college funding strategies is essential. College graduates earn more, on average, than those with only a high school diploma. Also, college-educated adults are more likely to remain employed during difficult economic times like the 2008 recession and the COVID-19 crisis. Research shows that the benefits of a fouryear college degree can be equivalent to an investment that earns, on average, a 15% rate of return.1 But obtaining a college degree can be expensive, and it often requires borrowing heavily, which could take many years to repay – unless there is a college savings plan and funding strategy in place. THE HIGH – AND RISING – COST OF A COLLEGE EDUCATION According to data from U.S. News, the average cost of tuition and fees for the 20192020 school year was more than $41,200 at private colleges, $11,260 for state residents at public colleges, and $27,120 for out-ofstate students at state schools. If you multiply these figures by four or more years, they can exceed six figures, explaining why many college graduates and former students spend years paying back their student loans. This, in turn, can impact the amount of money available for living expenses and financial planning for retirement. In addition to tuition and fees, college students usually have other costs that can increase their total education-related expenses, such as: • Room and board • Books and supplies • Transportation 4 [email protected] www.certifiedsafemoney.com CSM202101COLLEGEFUNDING
HOW HIGHER EDUCATION IS FUNDED Typically, college students and their families rely on multiple sources to pay for education expenses. These methods can include: • Grants • Scholarships/Fellowships • Student borrowing • Parent borrowing • Student financial aid • Personal savings and investments Student grants are monetary gifts given to people who are pursuing higher education. Unlike student loans, grants do not have to be repaid. Grants also differ from scholarships, which are typically given by specific groups of people for a particular area of study a student is pursuing. Scholarships and Fellowships are forms of “gift” aid, which is student financial assistance that does not have to be repaid. Typically, scholarships are awarded to undergraduate students, while fellowships are reserved for graduate and professional school students. Most colleges and other educational institutions offer scholarships directly to students. However, scholarships are also available through organizations such as community groups, corporations, and religious organizations. Borrowing by students or parents is another way to fund the cost of college. Estimates say that more than two-thirds of Bachelor’s degree recipients in the class of 2019 graduated with an average of just under $30,000 in student loan debt. VISIT www.certifiedsafemoney.com FOR MORE SOLUTIONS ON FUNDING YOUR CHILDREN’S HIGHER EDUCATION WITH SAFE MONEY INVESTMENTS. 5 [email protected] www.certifiedsafemoney.com CSM202101COLLEGEFUNDING
There are several different types of federally sponsored student loans available for college students and their parents: • Federal Perkins Loan – Available to undergraduate, graduate, and professional school students, these loans are subsidized – meaning the federal government pays the loan’s interest while the student is still attending school. Unlike other types of student loans, the educational institution is the lender on a Perkins Loan. However, once the student is out of school and begins to repay a Perkins Loan, there may be a different loan servicer. • Direct Loan – Direct subsidized loans are available to both undergraduate and graduate students based on financial need. In this case, the government pays the interest while the student is still attending school. On the other hand, direct unsubsidized loans are not based on financial need, and the interest on these loans will continue to accrue – even while the student is still attending school. The repayments on Direct Loans are delayed until six months after the student leaves school. • Direct PLUS Loan – Direct PLUS Loans are federal loans that graduate and professional degree students and parents of dependent undergraduate students can use to help pay for educational expenses. These loans have a fixed interest rate and are not subsidized, which means the interest accrues while the student is still in school. There are two types of Direct PLUS Loans – the Grad PLUS Loan and the Parent PLUS Loan. 6 [email protected] www.certifiedsafemoney.com CSM202101COLLEGEFUNDING
FINANCIAL AID Financial aid is usually awarded based on the student’s (or their family’s) need. To be considered for student financial aid, a FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) must be completed each year the student attends college. The FAFSA uses a formula based on the student’s family income and certain other factors to determine how much the student and their family can afford to pay out-ofpocket and how much financial aid the student may receive. Student financial aid is typically presented as a combination of grants, loans, and in some cases, work-study programs. High-income earners are usually not eligible for federal student aid. The use of personal savings and investments – whether from a parent or student – is another form of paying for a college education. This money usually comes from a FIND THE BEST-RATED FINANCIAL PROFESSIONAL TO HELP WITH YOUR COLLEGE FUNDING STRATEGIES AT www.certifiedsafemoney.com savings account at a bank or credit union or personal investments, including safe money investments such as Fixed or Fixed Indexed Annuities, Indexed Universal Life Insurance, CDs, and other financial vehicles. You can also use a retirement savings account (either personal or employer-sponsored) or a 529 College Savings Plan. 7 [email protected] www.certifiedsafemoney.com CSM202101COLLEGEFUNDING
TAX-ADVANTAGED COLLEGE SAVINGS OPTIONS Several College Savings Plans are available, including those with various tax advantages, such as Section 529 plans and the Coverdell Education Savings Account (ESA). With a 529 College Savings Plan, money grows on a tax-deferred basis, similar to a traditional IRA or 401k plan. These college funding plans are sponsored by individual states, state agencies, or educational institutions. There are two different versions of a 529 College Savings Plan – a prepaid tuition plan or an Education Savings Plan (ESP). Prepaid tuition plans allow a saver or account holder to purchase units or credits – at today’s current prices – at participating colleges and universities to use for future tuition and various fees. These funds typically cannot be used to pay for future room and board. Most prepaid tuition plans also have state residency requirements for the saver or beneficiary. And while some state governments guarantee the money paid into the prepaid tuition plan, these plans are not guaranteed by the federal government. An education savings plan can allow investors to use safe money investments to grow the future student’s funds – which can be used for tuition, mandatory fees, and the student’s room and board. Investors can choose from a wide range of safe money investment options to fund a child’s education savings plan and shifts towards more conservative investments as they get closer to college age. The money in 529 plans may be used at any college or university – including some non-U.S. institutions. Similar to IRAs and retirement plans, there is an annual contribution limit placed on Education Savings Plans. Education Savings Account vs. Section 529 College Savings Plan Education Savings Account 529 Savings Plan Annual contribution limits Higher contribution limits (set by the individual states) Income eligibility limits (based on the donor’s adjusted gross income) No income eligibility limits Assets must be used by a specified time Usually no age restrictions Funds may be used for qualified elementary, secondary, and post-secondary education expenses Funds may be used for qualified higher education expenses and K-12 tuition costs Flexible investment options More limited investment options (which may automatically become more conservative over time) 8 [email protected] www.certifiedsafemoney.com CSM202101COLLEGEFUNDING
OTHER COLLEGE SAVINGS OPTIONS There are other ways parents and loved ones can help a child save for college. For example, they can take money from safe money investments like an annuity or fixed life insurance policy, an IRA (Individual Retirement Account), or an employersponsored retirement plan such as a 401k. Although there are often no IRS early withdrawal penalties for accessing a certain amount of money from your IRA or 401k plan for educational purposes, doing so can impact the amount a parent, grandparent, or other individual has to use towards their own future retirement income needs. However, other alternatives should be considered – and could even be more flexible – as a college funding mechanism. For instance, Indexed Universal Life Insurance (IUL) can keep your money safe while growing on a tax-advantaged basis. Plus, if the policy is constructed and accessed correctly, the funds from this financial vehicle can be accessed entirely tax-free in the future. As a bonus, if the insured passes away unexpectedly, an IUL policy offers a “selfcompleting” feature whereby the death benefit can be received income-tax-free by the student, providing money for educational expenses. Unlike other traditional forms of college savings, if the child or grandchild decides not to attend college, there are no penalties for using the money for other purposes or leaving it in the policy’s cash value portion to continue to grow tax-deferred. FIND THE HIGHEST-RATED IUL EXPERT AND FIND SAFE MONEY OPTIONS FOR YOUR COLLEGE FUNDING NEEDS AT www.certifiedsafemoney.com 9 [email protected] www.certifiedsafemoney.com CSM202101COLLEGEFUNDING
BORROWING VS. SAVING FOR COLLEGE Although borrowing for college can be a lowinterest way to obtain a degree, student loan balances are also rising as tuition increases. Early in life, this hefty debt obligation can significantly affect young adults’ ability to pursue their other life goals. For example, a dollar saved can be worth more than just a dollar in the future because it can earn interest over time. If a family saves $25 per week over 18 years, the $23,400 saved could be worth over $42,000 when the child is ready to attend college (depending on the interest rate). On the other hand, if a family borrows $42,000, they could end up having to repay nearly $60,000 when loan interest is included. Borrowing vs. Saving for College $ 42,000 -$ 60,000 A family that saves A family that borrows What you invest What you earn What you borrow What you pay in interest This hypothetical illustration assumes an annual return of 6% on the savings, and a 7% interest rate on the student loan, along with a repayment period of ten years. Source: Retirement News (https://retirement.news/college-savings-plans/save-vs-borrow) With that in mind, saving for college – especially if you begin when the child is young – can provide the opportunity to borrow less (or possibly even nothing at all). This, in turn, can free up income for other essential items in life, such as purchasing a home and saving for retirement. 10 [email protected] www.certifiedsafemoney.com CSM202101COLLEGEFUNDING
All investments, retirement, and estate planning strategies (collectively “Strategies”) have inherent risks. Content is not personalized financial advice and should not be regarded as a complete analysis of the subjects discussed. All expressions of opinion reflect the judgment of the author on the date of publication and may change in response to market conditions. Although the information has been gathered from sources believed to be reliable, we do not guarantee its accuracy or completeness. There can be no assurance that you will achieve your goals if you implement any Strategies discussed. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Indexed universal life insurance may not be suitable for you depending upon your investment objectives, risk tolerance, financial situation, and liquidity needs. Accessing policy cash value through loans and surrenders may lead to a permanent reduction of the policy’s cash value and death benefit, which may lead to a potential lapse of the policy. Insurance product guarantees are subject to the claims-paying ability of the issuing company. There may be tax penalties for distributions prior to age 59½. Working with a highly-rated professional does not ensure that you will experience a higher level of performance. Professional awards do not guarantee future investment success. Please contact the professional for more information regarding the criteria for any recognition or rankings noted. Ratings can be based on client evaluations and the professional’s activity. Hyperlinks in this Booklet are provided as a convenience. Neither the information in this Booklet nor any option expressed herein constitutes an offer to sell or solicit any person to purchase any security or product. Investment decisions should not be made based on information in this Booklet. Individuals should rely exclusively on the offering material provided to them by a licensed professional or regulated entity when considering whether to invest. Usage of this Booklet requires your acknowledgment that you shall hold CertifedSafeMoney.com, Financial Media & Marketing, LLC, and its Officers, Directors, Employees, or Agents (collectively “FMM”) harmless. In addition, you specifically acknowledge and agree that no oral or written information or advice provided by FMM (Including without limitation its call center representatives) will (I) constitute legal or financial advice or (II) create a warranty of any kind concerning this Booklet or the services found on any website(s) related to or owned by FMM, and users should not rely on any such information or advice. FMM disclaims all representations and warranties of any kind, express, implied, statutory, or otherwise, to you and/or any other party, including, without limitation, any warranties of accuracy, timeliness, completeness, efficacy, merchantability, fitness for any particular purpose, and usefulness of the content provided. FMM shall have no tort, contract, or any other liability to you or any other users of content from this Booklet and/or to any other party. FMM shall not be liable to you and/or any other party for any lost profits or lost opportunities or any indirect, special, consequential, incidental, or punitive damages whatsoever arising out of or relating to the use of this Booklet, even if FMM has been advised of the possibility of such damages. Tax and legal information provided is general in nature and should not be construed as legal or tax advice. It is not a substitute for your independent research and evaluation of any issue. If specific legal or other expert advice is required or desired, the services of an appropriate, competent professional should be sought. The firm is not engaged in the practice of law or accounting. Always consult an attorney or tax professional regarding your specific legal or tax situation. PLANNING FOR COLLEGE EDUCATION EXPENSES Although the cost of college can be high, getting a degree can also be well worth it, considering the many benefits it can bring throughout one’s lifetime – including more employment opportunities and the ability to earn higher pay. Preparing for higher education expenses can seem overwhelming. So when putting together college savings strategies, work with a safe money expert who is wellversed in various plans and how they can be combined with the other components of your overall financial plan. NEED TO FIND MORE COLLEGE FUNDING STRATEGIES THAT COULD WORK FOR YOU? SPEAK WITH A SAFE MONEY EXPERT AT www.certifiedsafemoney.com 11 [email protected] www.certifiedsafemoney.com CSM202101COLLEGEFUNDING
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