Articles

5 ways to help your child navigate the student loan process

Posted: 2016-09-04. By: Ryan Hickey, Managing Editor of EssayEdge & Peterson's

Applying for student loans can be a stressful and confusing process. Here's how parents can help their kids get started with the process.

New study: Are men too confident about college savings? Or are women too pessimistic?

Posted: 2016-09-04. By: Kathryn Flynn and Martha Kortiak Mert

According to Savingforcollege.com's Annual College Savings Survey, a person's gender may impact the way they save and pay for college. What's more, these differences may exist across a broader spectrum of financial attitudes and behaviors.

Commentary: Second quarter 2016 plan performance rankings

Posted: 2016-08-29. By: Brian Boswell

We rank plans that consumers can enroll in directly, as well as those sold through brokers and fee-based financial planners) for the second quarter 2016.

2016 one-year top performing direct plans Q2

Posted: 2016-08-29.

Savingforcollege.com ranks the one-year investment performance of direct-sold 529 plans as of June 30, 2016.

2016 plan performance rankings Q2

Posted: 2016-08-29.

Savingforcollege.com's Q2 529 performance rankings analyze one, three, five, and ten year investment performance as of June 30, 2016 and rank 529 savings plans from best to worst.

Washington College to award scholarship match to 529 plan contributions

Posted: 2016-08-26. By: Brian Boswell

In a first of its kind scholarship, Washington College will pilot a program that matches up to $2,500 per year that families contribute to a 529 college savings plan or Coverdell Education Savings Account.

Study reveals parents could have saved $20,000 more for college

Posted: 2016-08-25. By: Keith Bernhardt

8 things to know going into your freshman year of college

Posted: 2016-08-25. By: Lulu Curiel

It's important to maintain perspective as you enter college and the transition to adulthood. These tips from Ivy Advisors will help ease your anxiety and prepare you for your freshman year.

529 ABLE accounts: Your questions answered

Posted: 2016-08-25. By: Kathleen Oberneder, Crescendo Wealth Management

Advice on helping families meet the financial challenges associated with living with a disability, and how to maximize the benefits of 529 ABLE accounts.

Think twice before sending clients to a direct-sold 529 plan

Posted: 2016-08-16. By: Brian Boswell

Financial advisors are increasingly viewed by clients as their guide to achieving their college savings goals. Financial advisors, however, are challenged by the paperwork-intensive, and - sometimes - low asset size of 529 plans. To make their lives easier, some advisors have found it simpler to forego the commissions on the asset base of 529 plans and refer their client to a direct-sold plan. However, this can be outright dangerous for both the advisor and client: Here's why.

Cosigners are helping borrowers get better rates on student loans

Posted: 2016-08-11. By: Ariha Setalvad, Credible.com

For students taking out private loans to cover college funding gaps, having a cosigner not only improves the odds of being approved for a loan, but can help borrowers obtain a better interest rate, an analysis of Credible user data shows.

A guide to applying for scholarships

Posted: 2016-07-28. By: Lulu Curiel

This guide will help you navigate the world of college scholarships and win the awards you need to pay for your school of choice.

How to gain financial-aid expertise

Posted: 2016-07-27. By: Joseph Hurley

How the kiddie tax may impact your clients

Posted: 2016-07-27. By: Brian Boswell

The Kiddie Tax is one of the most overlooked pieces of tax code until it hits your high-net worth client. Prepare them before they are impacted.

New tool helps you pick the best investments for college

Posted: 2016-07-25. By: Kathryn Flynn

Understanding 529 expenses

Posted: 2016-07-18. By: Joseph Hurley

An explanation of the four major categories of 529 plan fees and expenses and how to compare between plans.

Using multiple 529 plans

Posted: 2016-07-18. By: Joseph Hurley

There are several reasons why someone might want to open accounts in more than one 529 plan.

How to select investments in a 529 plan

Posted: 2016-07-15. By: Brian Boswell

Savings opportunities for students with special needs

Posted: 2016-07-14. By: Brooke Napiwocki

Hillary Clinton's plan for free college: Will you still need to save?

Posted: 2016-07-14. By: Brian Boswell