College Planning/529 Plans

Advisors Question Prepaid College Plans

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It sounded like a marvelous deal when prepaid state tuition plans first rolled out: Pay for your child's college tuition now at a particular school at a fraction of what the actual cost will be...

Republicans Call For Congressional Probe Of Student-Loan Program

House and Senate Republicans asked Congress's investigative arm to examine the U.S...

Obama Relies On Debt Collectors Profiting From Student Loan Woe

With $67 billion of student loans in default, more than double the amount in 2003, the Education Department is turning to an army of private debt-collection companies to put the squeeze on...

Student Borrowers Lack Understanding Of Loan Terms, Study Shows

Almost two-thirds of U.S. student-loan borrowers misunderstood or were surprised by aspects of their loans or the student-loan process, a study shows.

Retirement Shortfall Risk Making College Saving Tougher, Even For Affluent

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Financial advisors are helping affluent families confront a financial quandary that most families didn't face 30 or 40 years ago: How to plan for both their retirement and their children's...

Student Loans Near $1 Trillion Hurting Young Buyers

As outstanding student debt approaches $1 trillion, it's one more reason record-low interest rates aren't doing more to boost housing.

Women View Saving As A Twofold Purpose, Survey Says

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While women across generations are eager to provide financial support to family members, they're placing a stronger emphasis on self-reliance, according to a new MetLife Mature Market Institute...

College Debt Looms Over Economy And Students

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The number of former students who are defaulting on student loans and the size of the loans has the potential to adversely impact the entire U.S...

College Savings Plans Growing

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Tax beneficial 529 plans have the potential to become the vehicle for college savings that 401(k) plans have become for retirement, says Tiburon Research.

College Crunch

by Jerilyn Klein Bier

Families scrambling to pay for college could use your guidance-even if they haven't asked.

Recession Dramatically Increases Number Of Fathers Caring For Children

A recession that some call the "mancession" has increased the number of fathers with an active role in child care, a trend that has been growing since at least 1988.

How Clients Might Benefit From Republican Hopefuls' Tax Plans

The detailed tax plans from Republican presidential candidates would provide tax cuts for the highest earners with those from Rick Perry and Jon Huntsman offering the biggest benefits.

Six 529 Plans Win Top Morningstar Rating

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Six 529 college savings plans have been ranked as the nation's top plans by Morningstar analysts in 2011, while another 15 plans have received above-average ratings, according to the research...

Tuition Jumps 8.3% Doubling Inflation

Tuition and fees at U.S. public universities soared 8.3 percent this year, twice the rate of inflation, to an average $8,244, a College Board report found. Nonprofit private college costs rose 4...

Retirement Planning Is A Hands-On Process, Expert Says

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A retirement advisor details his step-by-step process to help clients navigate retirement planning.

Bank Of America Lures New Customers

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The bank is seeking out a special niche where advisory services are scarce.

College Loan Defaults Hit 12-Year High In '09

Borrowers defaulted on federal student loans at an 8.8 percent rate for fiscal 2009, up from 7 percent a year earlier, the U.S. Education Department said today.

Parents Eye Grants, Scholarships For College Funds

Teenage students and their parents are looking to outside sources such as grants and scholarships rather than solely family savings to pay for college, according to a new survey. 

Parents May Dig Deeper To Pay For College Costs

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Changes in college savings plans, known as 529s, may cost parents a little more money this fall.