There’s no question that having a college degree increases your potential job opportunities and associated earnings potential. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), in 2022 the median wages of four-year college graduates age 25 and older was over 60% higher than for workers with only a high school diploma. But the decision…
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The pandemic relief law that the federal government passed in December included some significant changes to the college financial aid application process. Here is a very brief summary of some of the key provisions together with some implications for families with children or grandchildren approaching college age. Most will go into effect on July 1,…
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If you have college-age children you’re probably familiar with the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form and provisions. There were some pretty major changes made as part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act that was passed at the tail end of 2020. Here’s a brief summary. The Expected Family Contribution (EFC) has been renamed…
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Below are two charts that will probably astound you, courtesy of Jill Mislinski at dshort.com. The first compares the increase in the cost of college with the increase in the Consumer Price Index, the cost of medical care, and the cost of a new car over the last 41 years. While medical costs have risen…
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Despite the burgeoning cost of higher education these days, some parents might still end up with unspent money in a 529 plan after their child has graduated from college. As you may know, if you withdraw the money for purposes other than for your child’s education, you have to pay taxes plus an additional 10%…
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