Save for College With a Special Savings Account

Getting a college education gets more expensive every year, which makes the thought of paying for your kids to attend a university a daunting one.

It can be challenging to know where to start when it comes to saving for college. There are so many kinds of savings accounts out there, so which one is best?

How to Get Started

The first step in creating a college fund is knowing how much you need to save. Having a goal in mind is always a solid starting point when trying to save. Unfortunately, even if you have an idea of which institution your children would like to attend, it can be difficult to predict what tuition will cost in the future. But, you can use a college savings calculator to get an estimate that will get you in the ballpark. Then, as graduation day gets closer, you can start paying more immediate attention to tuition increases and adjust accordingly. Once you have the initial number, you can choose the best savings vehicle.

Education Savings Accounts

Education Savings Accounts, or ESAs, work similarly to Roth IRAs, a common investment and savings option for retirement. With an ESA, you’re allowed to invest up to $2,000 per year, per child. Of course, investing in the stock market is always a risky proposition. Still, with the help of a trusted financial expert and an intelligent approach, you can grow your money—tax-free—throughout your child’s life until they’re ready for college.

529 Plans

ESAs are an excellent option but also come with income restrictions. Another solid option if you don’t meet those restrictions is a 529 plan, a type of investment account that comes with tax benefits when it’s used to pay for education expenses. There are no annual limits on contributions to 529 plans, but every state has an aggregated contribution limit that is influenced by the cost of college in that state.

Uniform Transfer or Gift to Minors

Another type of savings account for your children is a Uniform Transfer or Gift To Minors, or a UTMA/UGMA. This is a type of trust that allows minors to own securities without the assistance of an attorney. Keep in mind that once designees reach a certain age, they can use the funds from this kind of account for anything. That means that your child could use the money for something other than a college education, which some parents would rather avoid.

Financial Aid

Although it’s not a savings account, financial aid is an important component of paying for college. There are thousands of scholarships available, plus your child can apply for aid through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, which can provide access to grants or scholarships based on need.