For many, saving for college is a big commitment.  Starting early always helps, but regardless of when you start the planning process, this page is dedicated to helping you efficiently identify helpful college planning resources.

I want to read general articles on Teaching Children to Save.

• “Your 5 Minute Guide To Saving For College” – MSN Money
• "8 Smart College Money Moves" – Bankrate
• "Where To Stash College Savings" – MSN Money

I want to read general articles on College Savings Trends.

• “Students Face Steep Curve In Landing Private Loans” – SmartMoney
• “9 Ways To Save For College In 2009” – Bankrate
• “Best Ways To Borrow Money For College” – Kiplinger’s
• “How To Save For College During A Recession” – Chicago Tribune

I want to read general articles on 529 College Savings Plans.

• “College Savers Stuck In Stocks As Market Falls” – Wall Street Journal
• “Pension Law: Permanent 529 Tax Exemption” – Bankrate
• “How To Fix Holes In 529 College Savings Plans That Sank In '08” – USA Today
• “IRS Is Allowing A 2nd Switch On 529 Plans” – Baltimore Sun

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I want to find helpful Non-Profit organizations.

• College Board offers the latest information about college costs, scholarships, financial aid applications, education loans, and college financing.
• College Savings Plan Network provides information on 529 plans and allows you to compare different state plans.
• FinAid is a website that educates its viewers about the different types of options available to finance your college education including scholarships, loans, military aid and savings plans.

I want to find helpful For-Profit organizations.

• 401kid is a website that provides advice to families struggling to meet the growing expense of college by educating you on relevant investment, tax and education information.
• Alloy Education can help you find a loan, search for scholarships, and explore colleges online.
• Bankrate is the Web's leading aggregator of financial rate information and provides original and objective personal finance stories to help consumers make informed financial decisions.
• Upromise is a program to help saving for college through merchant reward programs.

I want to find helpful Government organizations.

• Federal Student Aid is the U.S. Department of Education's site for free information on preparing for and funding education beyond high school.

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I want to understand the Basics of College Planning.

• BankRate.com – College Financing Basics
• BabyCenter.com – Saving for College
• CNN Money.com – Top Things to Know

I want to understand College Savings Accounts.

• The difference between the various College Savings Accounts
• Richfield Companies – College savings account matrix
• Finaid.org – Compare
• 401kid.com – Compare

• Coverdell Education Savings Account (ESA)
• Finaid.org – Coverdell
• 401kid.com – Coverdell

• 529 College Savings Plan Accounts
• Finaid.org – 529
• CollegeSavings.org – 529
• 401kids.com – 529

• US Treasury Savings Bonds
• Finaid.org – Savings Bonds
• 401kid.com – Savings Bonds

• UGMA & UTMA Custodial Accounts
• Finaid.org – UGMA
• 401kid.com – UGMA

• Roth IRAs
• 401kid.com – Roth
• About.com – Roth college savings

I want to understand Financial Aid.

• StudentAid.ed.gov – Financial Aid
• Collegeboard.com – Financial Aid

I want to understand Scholarships.

• Collegeboard.com – Scholarships
• Finaid.org – Scholarships

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I need to find helpful College Planning Calculators.

• CNN Money calculator tells you how much money you will need for college, how much you will have based on your current savings rate and how to adjust your plan to pay for four years of college.
• College Board offers multiple calculators that estimate how much college will cost, if your savings in on track and your expected monthly loan repayments.
• College Savings Plan Network calculator is designed to help you estimate how much college may cost when your student is ready to enroll based on tuition only or tuition and room and board.
• Federal Student Aid calculator determines how much you could or should be saving to meet college expenses, and how to maximize your savings efforts.
• MSN Money tuition calculator estimates how much you should contribute to a college fund to be able to afford a particular college or university or given your current savings patterns, how much you will be able to spend.

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There are countless personal finance self-help “gurus” trying to convince you they alone offer the most insightful, sincere and helpful solutions. They hope you will buy their latest self-help book, workbook, newsletter, or whatever else it is they are offering.

However, a handful have written books or offer guidance on COLLEGE PLANNING in a manner that may be more beneficial, more affordable, or less annoying than their peers.  Following are gurus and books you may enjoy.*

• J.K. Lasser, New Strategies for College Funding: An Advisor's Guide
• Joseph Hurley, The Best Way to Save for College: A Complete Guide to 529 Plans
• Kiplinger’s Personal Finance Magazine, Financing College: How Much You'll Really Have to Pay and How to Get the Money

* Note: The Site Creator has not been compensated in any way for referencing any “gurus” or books on this site.

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