The Skyrocketing Cost of College How to Prepare for the Growing Price Tag Ken O Connor, Director of Student Advocacy, Fynanz, Inc. Mike Sabatino, CFP, Managing Director of Financial Planning and Education, McGraw-Hill FCU
Ken O Connor Ten years experience as a Financial Aid Officer Fairleigh-Dickinson University Private University $32,000/Year 12,000 Enrollment Assisted over 30,000 students MBA in Finance The College Resource Center Virtual Financial Aid Director and Student Advocate Up to date blog with insight into higher education Links to financial resources Reviews of Web content On Facebook and Twitter Weekly College Planning Night Hosted Online Direct Q&A
Mike Sabatino Fifteen years experience as a financial planner and portfolio manager Certified financial planner University of Richmond
Agenda The Cost of College Strategies for Paying Tuition Making a Decision Financial Aid 101 All about FAFSA Questions to Ask Your College Paying for College Financial Wellness at McGraw-Hill FCU Wrap up and Q & A
The Cost of College The biggest impact on cost of education is school selection $40,000 $35,000 $30,000 Cost of Attendance (COA) $34,000 Total Cost Financial Aid $25,000 $19,800 $27,900 $20,000 $15,000 $10,000 $17,600 $11,000 $14,200 $22,500 $5,000 $0 $6,600 $5,400 Public 4 Year Private 4 Year For-profit 4 year
The Cost of College College NW Oklahoma State Cal State Bakersfield University of Florida Tuition/Fees in state Tuition/Fees Out of state Room and board + all expenses $4,253 $10,185 $5,925 $7,207 $17,842 $14,943 $6,170 $28,448 $14,410 Total $10,178 - $16,110 $22,150 - $32,785 $20,580 - $42,858 Walla Walla University $24,360 $24,360 $9,219 $33,579 Notre Dame $42,971 $42,971 $14,834 $57,805 Columbia $41,808 $41,808 $25,140 $66,948
Strategies for Paying Tuition College fina ancing options Child s Age Stage 1 Stage 2 Stage 3 Stage 4 529 Plan Monthly Savings Plan Prepaid Plan School Selection Personal Liquidity Monthly Savings Plan Prepaid Plan School Selection Personal Liquidity School Selection Monthly Savings Plan Personal Liquidity School Selection Personal Liquidity Student Loans 1 10 14 18
Strategies for Paying Tuition Understand the landscape before making decisions Cost of College Competition Unemployment Increasing at 8% per yr. 19MM students enrolled Hovering around 8%-9% Increased need for proper college planning
Top 5 School Selection Criteria Historically 1. What Do You Want To Study? 2. School Reputation 3. Location 4. Commute Or Resident 5. Cost Current 1. Cost 2. What Career Do You Want? 3. What Do You Want To Study? 4. School Reputation 5. Commute Or Resident
Making a Decision What do you want from college? Student goals: Grow knowledge Develop Skills Able to create income Happiness Meet people Become financially independent from parents
Making a Decision The college conversation that needs to happen A difficult topic that cannot be ignored Objective: Build the short list 3-5 schools that make sense
Making a Decision What criteria should be used to decide? Student s potential: Average SAT Critical reading: 501 Mathematics: 515 Writing: 493 Interests What gets you out of bed in the morning?!
Making a Decision On Campus Pros Location Meet lots of people Live on your own But not alone Cons Expense Roommate issues Off-campus Pros Lower costs Still meet lots of people But maintain more privacy Develop more time management Cons Different experience Not campus-centric
Making a Decision Cost of education Tuition Other expenses The true cost: loan repayment A monthly commitment Shoot for the stars? Some debt vs. too much debt Hope for the best, prepare for the worst 50% of all students transfer
Debt Concerns Undergraduates average about $25,000 in student loans at graduation Goal is to pay the loans back Your major should lead to a career that can enable loan repayment Worst case scenario: High debt and low income Limits financial independence Forego future car and home purchases
Accounting for Costs and Benefits What are cost drivers? Education is labor intensive Salaries for the educated Technology integration Facilities What can they do for you?
College Visits When Why Where Who What Start visits before junior year Visualize and experience Consult the short list Admissions, Financial Aid, Current students, Alumni Facilities, Technology integration, Student/Professor ratio Bottom line Objective comparison
Real and Virtual Campus Tours Virtual Tour Pros Convenient Easy to use Never any bad weather Available 24 hours Real Tour Pros Walk the campus Meet the people Try the food Feel the campus vibe Cons Missing human element Only see what they show Cons Time consuming Can t tour every college
Typical Student Financial Aid Total Cost: $18,900 Tuition Room Board Books Transportation Misc. Cash Parent Plus Or Private Loan: $7,400 Federal Stafford Loans: $5,500 Grants: $2,000 Scholarships: $4,000
Financial Aid 101 Grants Need Based Federal Pell, FSEOG Scholarships Merit Based From the school or scholarship organizations Federal Loans Stafford, Plus, Perkins Work Study Earn Federal Minimum Wage
Financial Aid Timeline Jan Feb 15 March - April May June, July, August Jan next year Get the FAFSA filed, submit all admissions requests Admissions response, financial aid award letters Deposits due, verification if selected Billing Statements, Payment Plans, Student Loans Back to the Future, new FAFSA is due
Free Application for Federal Student Aid The FAFSA It s Free! www.fafsa.ed.gov Filing services available
What to expect A review of family financial information Determines eligibility of need based funding More or less one hour to file Can be saved and completed within 45 days Requires an e-signature using a PIN
Documents you may need Social Security card. Driver s license (if any) 2011 W-2 forms and other records of money earned Your (and your spouse s, if you are married) 2011 Federal Income Tax Return. IRS 1040, 1040A, 1040 EZ Foreign Tax Return, or Tax Return for Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, the U.S. Virgin Islands, the Marshall Islands, the Federal States of Micronesia, or Palau Parents 2011 Federal Income Tax Return (if you are a dependent student) 2011 untaxed income records Current bank statements Current business and investment mortgage information, business and farm records, stock, bond and other investment records Alien registration or permanent resident card (if you are not a U.S. citizen)
Selective Service www.sss.gov For all males Required for Required for Financial Aid eligibility
PIN www.pin.ed.gov For students and parents Required for identification 3-step process
The FAFSA Main page updated Easy to navigate Use NEXT and PREVIOUS buttons only!
Getting Started
Student Demographics The fundamentals Must be error free for easy processing
School Selection Streamlined process All schools listed Geographic location is handy
Dependency Key questions on the FAFSA Expanded eligibility Determines if Determines if parent information is required
Parent information Have your PIN ready Provide demographic data
Parent Financial Info Simplified process Income Estimator No Tax return? No Problem!
IRS Link New feature Optional convenience Can be skipped Recommended if using E-Taxes
Student financial info Easy to use estimator Similar to parent section IRS connect available
Complete the E-signature 3 options to sign the FAFSA E-signature is recommended Key final step
Confirmation Page See the results Keep for your records Be prepared for contact with colleges
Preparing for verification Keep all gathered forms organized Be prepared for requests from colleges Know your EFC from the FAFSA Use confirmation page for the DRN number
Financial Aid 101 How to Increase a Scholarship Student writes an appeal Highlights additional qualities and achievements Email to admissions and financial aid and get a confirmation of receipt Ken s Tip - Schools are dependent on registration quota for budget purposes Higher probability of increasing scholarships with private schools
Financial Aid 101 How to Increase Grants Must prove an increase in financial need An appeal must document unemployment Must meet financial aid methodology standards Can also appeal for high medical costs Be prepared to submit written statements, termination letters, final pay stubs, unemployment documentation etc.
The Parent Plus Loan In the parent s name Credit based Begins repayment while in school 7.9% fixed interest rate Pros and Cons
McGraw-Hill FCU Student Loan: Repayment Options (While In School) 1. Interest Paid Borrower is immediately responsible for making full monthly interest payments on the loan
How interest payments work Starting school Borrow $10,000 @ 6.8% During School In-School monthly interest payment : $56.67 Loan balance remains at $10,000 while in school After Graduation Starting loan balance is still $10,000 Payments increase to include interest and principal: $115.08
Repayment Options (While In School) 2. Deferred Repayment Borrower is required to make monthly $25 ProActive Payments during the Deferment Period Unpaid accrued interest is capitalized (or added) to the outstanding loan amount once at the end of the Deferment Period Six months after leaving school or ceasing to be enrolled at least-half time in a degree granting program, the borrower enters repayment status and is responsible for principal and interest payments
How ProActive payments work Starting School Borrow $10,000 @ 6.8% During School ProActive monthly payment: $25.00 Loan balance will grow at a slower rate while in school After Graduation Starting loan balance is $11,741 Payments increase to include interest and principal: $135.12
Pay a little now, save a lot later 20000 18000 16000 14000 12000 10000 8000 6000 4000 2000 0 $17,966 $16,214 $13,810 Full deferment $25 ProActive Interest only Freshman borrows $10,000 @ 6.8% Amount Borrowed Amount outstanding at graduation Cost to repay
Funding Issues Where is my refund check? Why hasn t my loan paid yet? Now I have a larger balance due! Dropped classes, lost funding Bait and switch Big funding changes year over year
Questions You Should Ask Is the grant or scholarship renewable every year? What are the renewal requirements? Minimum GPA, credits completed etc. Can the scholarship/grant extend into super senior years? What is the school deadline for filing the FAFSA?
Paying for College
Financial Wellness is a Hallmark of McGraw-Hill FCU
Holistic Approach to Financial Wellness Financial Wellness Financial Planning & Investment Management Loan Solutions Core Savings
The Goal Setting Process Prioritize your needs Assign a timeline Tally the cost Consult with key partners View your goals dynamically
Where to Save? 529 529 Plans Prepaid Plans Roth IRAs Custodial Brokerage Savings Accounts Accounts Bonds
Questions & Answers