Based on available data, college tuition and fees have been rising more rapidly than household income over the past 2 decades. The divergence is particularly pronounced for low-income household and become less pronounced as household income increases. Some research has identified specific factors related to increases in college price. For example, price increases at public 4-year institutions are strongly related to decreases in state appropriations. Given the current budget crisis that is affecting states nationwide, double-digit increases in tuition and fees are slated in some states for the 2003-2004 academic year.

Don’t let money get in the way of your kids’ best education 529 & Education Savings Plans For Dummies helps you sort through the vast amount of information about education savings accounts and choose the plans that are best for you and your family. A college or private K-12 education is generally parents’ single largest expense for their children. 529 plans and 530 plans (Coverdell accounts) are relatively solid investment vehicles that can make saving for college much easier, providing tax advantages that other types of investments can’t match. Education savings can be part of your overall wealth accumulation strategy, and this book can show you which plans are right for you, help you decide when to start saving, and guide you through determining how much to save per year in order to meet your goals—and help your kids meet theirs. Learn about the different types of tax-sheltered and tax-advantaged ways to save for education Create a saving and investment strategy that makes sense for your family Demystify the 529 and 530 plan rules and maximize your tax advantage Help set your kids on the path to success and to their college of choice This is the perfect Dummies guide for parents or family members who want to begin saving for a college or K-12 education and who may want to supplement their current savings with tax-sheltered, education-specific accounts, or tax-advantaged investment accounts that may be used for education funding.

Discusses the fundamentals of savings and investments, including the risks and rewards of investment, the different kinds of investment opportunities, and smart strategies for saving.

The go-to guide to acing the Series 10 Exam! Passing the General Securities Sales Supervisor Qualification Exam (Series 9 and 10) qualifies an individual to supervise sales activities in corporate, municipal, and option securities; investment company products; variable contracts; and direct participation programs. The exam covers hiring, qualification, and continuing education; supervision of accounts and sales activities; conduct of associated persons; recordkeeping requirements; and municipal securities regulation. All candidates must have passed the Series 7 Exam before taking the Series 10. Created by the experts at The Securities Institute of America, Inc., Wiley Series 10 Exam Review 2020 arms you with everything you need to pass this four-hour, 145-question test. Designed to help you build and fine-tune your knowledge of all areas covered in the exam and to guarantee that you're prepared mentally and strategically to take the test, it provides: Dozens of examples Assorted practice questions for each subject area covered in the exam Priceless test-taking tips and strategies Helpful hints on how to study for the test, manage stress, and stay focused Wiley Series 10 Exam Review 2020 is your ticket to passing the Series 10 test on the first try—with flying colors!

Complete information and advice on personal finances and important decisions, tailored to members of the armed forces.

The Best Way to Save for College is still the number one resource on all 529 programs and other college savings strategies (including Coverdell Education Savings Accounts). Read below for a preview of this edition's chapters: Section One Chapter 1: History of 529 Plans Chapter 2: Why You Should be Invested in a 529 Plan Chapter 3: Section 529 Overview Chapter 4: Financial Aid Considerations Chapter 5: Prepaid vs. Savings Chapter 6: What to Look for in a 529 Plan: A Checklist Chapter 7: Income Tax Planning with 529 Plans Chapter 8: Estate Planning with 529 Plans Chapter 9: 529 Plan vs. Coverdell Accounts Chapter 10: 529 Plan vs. Qualified Savings Bonds Chapter 11: 529 Plan vs. Other Investment Alternatives Chapter 12: Managing your 529 Account Section Two consists of a state-by-state comparison of all 529 programs. With more than ninety 529 programs to choose from, this comparison will prove to be a great resource in determining which program is right for you!

There’s no question: The cost of college continues to soar, even when the rest of the economy stagnates, and this reality is not likely to change any time soon. Fortunately, everyone, including you, the various governments (federal and state), and the colleges themselves, are in on this secret, so everyone can plan and plot, well in advance of that eventual first day of your child’s freshman year, ways to get that child there, and ways to help you pay the bills when they happen. Consider this book to be your accomplice. 529 & Other College Savings Plans For Dummies is simply a way to find a reasonable solution to a seemingly unreasonable problem: saving for future college costs in the sanest, least stressful way possible for you. In keeping with the theme of stress reduction, you can use this book in a variety of ways: As a reference: It’s all here: the ins, the outs, the do’s, and the don’ts. The world of college savings is one of very specific rules, and they’re here, in all their glory, and they’re all explained. As an advisor: It’s a case of the very good savings techniques, the merely okay savings techniques, and the truly ugly techniques (which you really want to avoid), and this book highlights them all. As a little light reading: Amazingly enough, the topic of money can be mildly amusing, and college savings is no exception. Read this with an eye towards the absurd, and you won’t go far wrong. This down-to-earth book is designed to explain the strategies that are out there to help you save, save, save. There’s no doubt that the bill will be large; there’s also no question that, with planning, strategy, and purpose, you can achieve your goal. To help you get there, this book covers all these vital topics, and more: Evaluating all your resources Understanding the basics of Section 529 plans Working around the 529 shortcomings Contributing to Coverdell accounts Choosing savings bonds that work Looking at your investment options Searching for scholarships, fellowships, and grants Tapping into your Roth IRA Financial Aid 101 In this one-size-fits-all world, the powers that be have recognized that all people don’t save money the same way. Some save more, some save less, some can live with risk, and others can’t tolerate any risk. Clearly, no two are alike, but you’re all savers, either present or potential. Numerous options exist that make saving possible and desirable for everyone. 529 & Other College Savings Plans For Dummies is here to tell you that it is possible to understand the costs associated with college, both right now and in the future, and then find ways to pay for those costs.