Feb 26

Having the College Money Talk with Your Child

We hear these stories every day. Mom, Dad, and high school junior visit a college. Junior is thrilled with the school--loves everything about it. Mom and Dad discover too late what it will cost them. The result? Either devastation for the student told by his parents that he can’t go... read more →

Feb 19

A Dollar Saved for College Beats a Dollar Borrowed for College

Most parents have a goal of avoiding student loans for their college-bound children. However, what they don't realize is that saving money in advance in a 529 Plan can help them to offset the cost of college by growing their savings in an interest-free account. 529 plans provide a tax-friendly... read more →

Feb 12

How to Pay for College with Loans – Being a Smart Borrower

Families often wonder how to pay for college with loans. It's tough to know how to make smart decisions that will positively impact both your future and your child's. According to StudentLoanHero.com in 2017, Americans owe $1.44 trillion in student loan debt with 44.2 million borrowers. Those are some staggering... read more →

Jan 29

Choosing a College: 3 Key Affordability Questions to Ask

The United States is home to approximately 5,300 colleges and universities. Having that many schools to choose from can be both a blessing and a curse. Yes, every student can find just the right fit for them, but on the flip side, a student can become overwhelmed by the sheer... read more →

Jan 22

Searching for the Unicorn University: The Perfect College for Your Child

Did you know no actual mythological stories exist about the unicorn? “The truth is, unlike almost every single other mythical creature, the unicorn does not appear anywhere in any culture's actual mythology.”¹ Was it possible this creature actually existed? And what the heck does this have to do with college?... read more →

Jan 15

Don’t Let the College Dream Become a College Nightmare

Originally published April 2017. Updated on January 2021. We see it often at this time of year. Juniors are starting to consider where they want to apply in the coming fall semester. Seniors are receiving their college acceptance letters through mid-spring and are deciding where to attend. Unfortunately, many families... read more →

January 15, 2021
Joe Messinger, CFP®
College

Jan 08

New FAFSA Changes

We welcome Matt Carpenter, from College Aid Pro™, who has shared this feature video with us to discuss the new changes to the FAFSA. There are pros and cons to be aware of. Please find the transcript of the video below. Transcript of Video: Hi, everybody, Matt Carpenter checking in... read more →

Dec 11

Making a List of Colleges: Are You Ready for the Tough Questions

Beth Probst, Founder and CEO of At The Core, has generously agreed to share a guest post with us. She has some thoughts to share about college selection and how sometimes you have to ask the tough questions. At The Core helps students figure out what they want to do... read more →

Nov 27

How to get more money in your 529 college savings plan

2020 may have been challenging, but if it's done anything - it has helped us all to clarify our goals and values. One value for many families is education. Unfortunately, it now takes a tribe to save and plan for the growing cost of education! Parents discover something shortly after... read more →

Nov 13

3 Tips for Investing Wisely in a 529 Plan

Fans of ESPN’s College Game Day know the familiar “not so fast, my friend” from Lee Corso. Sometimes we come across articles that cause us to say those very words. While the information is true, we might not 100% agree. We had a “not so fast” moment when reading an... read more →