College planning is an essential financial-planning strategy, as college costs are substantial enough to have the potential to compromise the parent’s retirement plans or produce burdensome debt for the college student. The costs can range from $100,000 for some local state-supported universities to $280,000 for many prestigious private schools. Most parents with pre-college age students range in age from 40 to 60 years old and most are concerned with how much college will cost. They are unsure of how much government aid they will receive. Some have set money aside in a 529 plan, state tax-free college bonds, or a prepaid tuition plan, but many have done little planning.

Continue reading “College Planning for Costs While Preserving Your Retirement Nest Egg”