Got Tuition?

There’s no time like the present to start preparing for what will soon be an eventuality; and there’s no better way to do it than to tap into some resources that will guide you along the way as painlessly as possible. If you’ve been laying awake at night worrying about tuition, why not take one of the following books to bed instead:

• Education Planning: Taxes, Trusts, and Techniques (Nancy Shurtz) is described as being an invaluable, in-depth resource for the estate and tax planning strategies and vehicles available for families saving for higher education. While focusing on all aspects of the popular 529 plans, the author also provides information on all other savings options, including 529 prepaid plans, Coverdell Educational Savings Accounts, qualified savings bonds, UGMAs/UTMAs, trusts, insurance, financial aid, grants, scholarships, and loans. It compares and contrasts techniques and applies them to different income groups. Also includes numerous planning tips, charts, and examples.
• The Best Ways to Save for College : A Comprehensive Guide to State-Sponsored College Savings Plans and Prepaid Tuition Contracts (Joseph F. Hurley) may be the source for you if you’re trying to understand how Read the rest of this entry »

When it comes to college expenses, everyone’s first concern is always tuition. Maybe now you’ve received some financial aid or a scholarship and are feeling home free. Unfortunately, tuition is only one of the many expenses kids face when they go off to school. Just because you’re on your own now doesn’t mean you should go burning every bit of cash in your wallet. Follow these easy money saving tips and make the most of that extra money you’ve saved with that new scholarship money.

1. Books: After tuition, textbooks are perhaps the most daunting of college expenses, but there are many ways to save on these costs. Always check around for friends who have taken any of the classes you’ve enrolled in and ask if you can borrow the book for the semester, or even pay them a few bucks for it. Amazon, Bigwords, and Book Circus, are just a few of the online companies that offer textbooks at discounted rates. Some sites also have options for selling your old books back at the end of the year. Read the rest of this entry »