Getty Images
The average cost of public in-state college tuition, fees, room and board in 2020-21 is $26,820 a year and $54,880 for a four-year private college, according to a recent study by the College Board. For a child born today, the four-year cost of college is expected to be $526,629 for private and $230,069 for public, according to a recent study by J.P. Morgan. Imagine if you have two or three kids?
True, there is financial aid, merit and athletic scholarships. Most schools discount the sticker price. But there is no guarantee your child will receive aid, so we must plan. Sadly, I find most parents lack a plan for college savings. Parents have good intentions and care for their kids, but for one reason or another they never get around to setting anything up. Parents who say they do “have a plan” often are merely throwing some money aimlessly into an age-based 529 college savings program. That is a good start, but not enough to meet the six-figure future cost of college