Saving for college made easy

Saving enough for college might seem impossible. But families like yours are doing it every day, and it's easy for you to start too.

YOU CAN DO IT

This fall, millions of American students will enter college for the first time. For many of them, their college journey began when loved ones started planning and saving to make the college dream a reality.

Like you, these families had lots of questions along the way. And that's why we're here—to help you get started with your college planning. It only takes 3 steps, so you can begin today.

Find the right kind of account for your college savings.

Choose investments for your account.

Open the account online.

Let's go!

TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE!

·         When it comes to saving for college, there are a lot of myths out there. What's true? What's false? We have the answers.

·         Only rich people can save for college.

·         Scholarships or financial aid will pay for college.

·         I can start saving no matter how old my kid is.

·         I'll lose the money if I don't use it for college.

·         It's easy to get started.

·         I'll miss out on financial aid if I save for college.

QUESTIONS? NO NEED TO RAISE YOUR HAND—ASK AWAY

ü How much am I going to need?

You don't need very much to get started, and the total amount you save completely depends on your family's goals and resources. It's something you can think about either now or as college approaches—but in the end, it's probably not as much as you think.

See the average cost of college

Find out how much you should save for college

ü How much do I need to know about investing to manage a college account?

Some types of investments can be managed for you, like age-based options offered through 529 plans. But it's also good to have some basic investing knowledge—it's not hard to learn, and it will help you save for any goal. We'll teach you the few important things you need to understand.

Learn the right ways to manage your college savings

ü How should I balance college saving with retirement and other goals?

There's a definite order in which you should approach financial goals. We've spelled it out.

Learn how college saving should fit into your other priorities

ü Am I going to lose this money if I don't use it for college?

Nope. Depending on whether you get tax breaks for your college savings, you might have to give up some of your earnings, but not any of the money you've saved.*

Find out what happens if you don't end up needing your savings

When's the best time to start saving for college?

The earlier you tackle college saving, the better off you'll be in the end. The best time is now.

See when you should start saving.

ü What's the best kind of account for college savings?

For most people, it's a 529 account, and here's why—tax breaks equate to more money in your account and less you have to borrow. But there are also other options.

Find out which college savings plan is right for you.