You may not think about it right now, but eventually your children will face tuition fee costs. These constantly increase, and getting loans is not always guaranteed. You want your children to have the best chance in life, which means going to the best school and doing the best course. Money shouldn’t have to get in the way. With that in mind, here are some tips to make affording tuition fee costs easier.
Start Saving Right Now
There is no time like the present. Start saving money for your children’s future as soon as you can. Just a little bit each month will add up along the years. For example, $5 a month for the first year of your child’s life is $60. That works out to be over $1000 by the end of the 18 years. It’s definitely better than nothing.
Ask Family Members to Help Out
Talk to your parents and maybe siblings about the cost of college and saving up. Your parents will want their grandchildren to have the best chance at college, so will likely be happy to help with the saving. Another $5 per month from each couple (assuming both sets of parents are still living together) is an extra $10 per month. That works out to be an extra $120 per year, and over $2,000 extra by the end of the 18 years. It’s again not a lot but that’s something most people can save and helps.
Know the Costs Upfront
Make sure you do some research into the cost of colleges. Yes, they can change over time, but having a rough idea right now will help you in the long run. You can break down the amount that you need to save each month to make sure you reach your target. This is an amount you can break down between the grandparents too so that it is easier to reach.
Is It the Best Account?
Are you putting the money in the best type of account? Long term savings accounts usually offer the best interest rates, but that can change at any minute. You want to check the terms and make sure the interest is favourable for you. Remember, the higher the interest, the less you have to saving in the long run.
Find Ways of Saving Money
Does your child really need to go to an Ivy League school? While these are sought after, they’re not always suitable. Instead of focusing on the most expensive school, look at other options. Consider schools closer to home to help cut down the cost of accommodation. This will be something you need to consider a little closer to the time though.
Talk to the Schools
The schools do have grants and scholarships, which are worth finding out about. The more you talk to them and push them, the more likely they are to offer you more money. This will also depend on grades and other things that a child offers for the school.