Shawnda Sparks, (CRPC®, CPFA® )’s Post

National 529 Day is celebrated on May 29th each year to raise awareness of 529 college savings plans. These plans can help families save for their children's education at a variety of post-secondary institutions, including colleges, universities, trade schools, and community colleges. Contributions to 529 plans can grow tax-free at the federal level, and in most states, if the savings are used to pay for qualified tuition and other expenses. Do you have a 529 for a loved one? Wondering what to get a Grandchild for their birthday? How about a recent graduate? (It's never too late) Give us a call to discuss your options. (317)468-9317

“We find little evidence that the … program has any impact on college-going behavior.” Mixed results at best. A new study out of Brown University finds inconsistent results from “free college” programs. The version in Philadelphia mentioned in the quote above seems to be quite ineffective. Another program was studied and was found to produce a temporary “large impacts on community college attendance and … degree attainment”, except that it also “diverts students away from 4 year colleges”. In PA, a full 2/3 of the cost of community college is already paid by state and county taxpayers, and that doesn’t include free grant money from federal Pell and PHEAA state grants which may be available to students based on income. The question arises: would covering the remaining 1/3 of tuition costs have any meaningful effect on college enrollment? Seems doubtful. A related issue worth reflection: if someone gave you a gift worth about $30,000 when you were 19, would you take great care of that gift? Or would you take it somewhat for granted since it didn’t cost you anything? If there’s no skin in the game, what % of recipients would squander that gift? So many unresolved questions with these “free college” programs. Shouldn’t we be more careful and thoughtful with taxpayer funds?

Two of my friends sent their kids to community colleges after finishing high school in the recent years. One went to UC Berkley and other went to UCSD to finish their 3rd and 4th year college degree. I was thinking, why they chose community college? Why they didn't go to university at the freshman year? Well, this chart kind of gives the answer. College education has become increasingly expensive here in California. Parents are struggling to fund their kids' college education. For that, this 2 yr community college thing has become a more convenient and cheaper option. This alternate route can save about 40% money in compared to a 4 yr university program. So why not choosing this smarter route!

Today we celebrate 529 on 5/29! College isn't cheap! According to Best Colleges, attending a four-year public college costs 57% more than it did 20 years ago. Three of my children attended college and like many parents out there, I quickly realized the importance of setting up 529 plans for the kids. Your contributions to a 529 plan grow tax-free and withdrawals are tax-free when used for qualified education expenses including tuition, books, supplies, and even K-12 education in some cases. You're welcome to contact me to learn more about the benefits of a 529 plan. #529savings #collegeplanning #education #savingsgoals

🌟 Attention Florida Parents! 🌟 Mornings can feel overwhelming, especially when you're navigating the ups and downs of your child's education journey. If your student has scored below grade level in the state of Florida, know that you're not alone. We understand the challenges you're facing, and we're here to help. Introducing the New World Scholarship—a beacon of hope for families seeking assistance with tutoring services. Step up for Students scholarship program aims to ease the financial burden, providing access to personalized support for your child's academic needs. At Joy's Educational Services, we believe in the power of education to transform lives. That's why we're offering a free consultation to help you determine the best path forward for your child. Visit our website at https://lnkd.in/eURFTGZD to schedule your consultation today. Additionally, the Step Up For Students program offers a pathway to financial assistance through scholarships. Visit www.stepupforstudents.org to learn more and apply for the scholarship. Remember, every child learns differently, and progress is not always linear. But with the right resources and support, we believe that every student can reach their full potential. Take a deep breath, dear friend. You're doing an amazing job, and we're here to support you every step of the way. Let's help your child shine bright together.

RESP-etc! Kids might not always give it to us…but this article will shed some light one benefits related to post secondary costs and how an RESP can help manage those costs.

It's National 529 Day (What the heck is that you ask?) It's a day to raise awareness of the benefits AND FLEXIBILITY of tax-advantaged 529 savings accounts. They are not just for college-bound students anymore! Expanded language now allows families to use 529 plans to save and pay for tuition at private, public and religious elementary and secondary schools – say what?! (Up to $10k a year PER beneficiary!) Check out this article from our partners at Raymond James and if you have further questions, why not dedicate a little time today to get those answers! Our team is always standing by to help!

Aspiring parents! Did you know that you could actually start putting away funds for your child’s 529 account to use for their post-secondary education before they’re actually born? 😱 Not to mention, if they don’t attend college or no longer need the funds (due to scholarships etc.), you can roll over funds into their Roth IRA (if they have earned income) without penalty. AND believe it or not, you can use 529 funds for more than just college tuition . Learn more: https://lnkd.in/eq35VG4T

We Finally Paid Our Last Tuition Payment! We just paid our final tuition payment, and we’re feeling super relieved, proud, and maybe a little richer! From the start, my husband and I wanted to cover our kids' college tuition if they decided to go. We worked through college ourselves, so we wanted our kids to graduate without debt hanging over their heads. We started early by putting small amounts into their college funds when they were young. We knew college costs would grow, so we saved what we could and planned to use our monthly income for the rest. Our kids hustled hard to snag scholarships and picked their colleges wisely. We paid for tuition, and they covered the rest. Fancy apartment or simple dorm? Eating out or cooking in? It was their call. Having some skin in the game taught them to spend wisely. The result? They became awesome money managers and fantastic cooks! {The cooking part might be a stretch, but they have their specialties.} We learned that teaching our kids to handle money was just as important as paying for their education. What’s your best tip for teaching financial responsibility to your kids? Share below.

Don't miss out on FREE APPLICATIONS during the month of October! October is Minnesota State Month! As a member of Minnesota State, Inver Hills Community College is offering many ways for students to save on higher education. This makes October a great time for students to take advantage of visit and tour events and apply for admission. 1. One way to save during Minnesota State Month: we are waiving undergraduate application fees – applying for free is a great way to take your first steps towards a brighter future! 2. Students can take advantage of significant savings on tuition and fees. Already the lowest in the state, undergraduate tuition has been frozen at 2022 levels until Spring 2025. 3. In addition, students from families with an Adjusted Gross Income of less than $80,000 may qualify for the North Star Promise, a program that provides free tuition for eligible students. 5. Finally, students can also save by taking advantage of the many scholarship opportunities available through our foundation, such as Workforce Development Scholarships that encourage students to enter programs in high demand by employers. Learn more here about our scholarships by visiting https://lnkd.in/gmurW2GP. More information on Minnesota State Month is available at minnstate.edu.