Jun 26

Federal Student Loan Interest Rates Drop to Historic Lows

Every July 1st, federal student loan interest rates are adjusted for the upcoming year. In 2020, those rates will drop to historic levels. Why did this happen? What does this mean for families? Effective July 1, 2020, The new federal student loans rate for undergraduates will drop from 4.53% last... read more →

Jun 18

Work-Study Federal Student Aid

Work-study federal student aid…what is it and who can take advantage of it? When today’s Gen X parents were college students, they could earn enough money through their own work and employment to make a serious dent in their college costs. Recently, one parent (a cattleman) told us he sold... read more →

Jun 12

Thinking About What College Will Look Like in the Fall of 2020

As we write this blog, our country is griped in a pandemic. Practically everything shut down, and now we are beginning the slow process of adjusting to our new normal and opening again. Current college students returning to campus in the fall are wondering what it will look like. Parents... read more →

Jun 05

6 Myths You Need to Know About Parent PLUS Loans

One of the types of federal student loans available are Parent PLUS Loans. These types of loans are meant to fill the gaps when a family does not have enough money to pay for college, and the limit on the federal direct student loans is not enough. We want to... read more →

May 29

College Planning with Tax Strategies capstone wealth ohio

Why does college cost so much? 6 reasons college is expensive

College is expensive. We know you aren't shocked by that statement. We all hear the news. It is easy to feel outrage at the skyrocketing price tag for college, and you can understand why. According to the Department of Education, the average annual increase in college tuition from 1980-2014 grew... read more →

May 22

How to Successfully Pay for College AND Fund Your Retirement

Once upon a time there were two families. Both families had well-paying jobs, and their children were bright hard-workers who were academically successful. The Smith family, Sam and Sarah, had three children. The Jones family, Jim and Jill, also had three children, and just like the Smiths they were lucky... read more →

May 15

How to Pay for College in the Fall When COVID-19 Has Changed Your Reality

You did everything right. You planned out how to pay for college in four years just like we recommend. Then along comes COVID-19 and suddenly your reality has changed. Maybe a parent lost a job and their health insurance. Your business took a direct hit. A student's summer employment and... read more →

May 07

11 Secrets You Didn’t Know About 529 College Savings Plans

529 plans are a great way to take advantage of potential tax savings and grow your investment in a simple and flexible way. But did you know these secrets that you can take advantage of? 1. You can choose to "superfund" a 529 plan. If you have a wealthy grandparent... read more →

May 01

Choosing a College: Weighing the Return on Education

We often hear the words "return on investment." We use those words ourselves all the time. When you invest, you expect a certain return or increase in the value of the amount you invested over a period of time. College should be viewed in the same way. Your family is... read more →

Apr 23

Figuring Out College Planning in a Time of COVID-19

Our world is all topsy-turvy. COVID-19 has impacted every aspect of our lives. Hopefully as you read this you and your loved ones are healthy and making your way through this time of turmoil. The world of college admissions has been rocked as well. College visits have become virtual. SAT/ACT... read more →