College Savings & Planning
Start saving for your child’s education by putting a modest amount monthly into an account and adding more as your finances allow. The earlier you start saving, the more time your money has to grow. Even if the thought of paying for college seems discouraging, take action now.
::529 Plans::
A 529 college savings plan offers a simple way to save money for your child’s college education, and can maximize your saving efforts. Each state is different; however, one of the key elements to a 529 plan is that you pay no taxes on the account’s earnings.
The Oklahoma 529 College Savings Plan offers several advantages, including an Oklahoma tax deduction, a choice of investment options and the funds can be used at thousands of higher education institutions in the U.S. and abroad.
If your child doesn't go to college, you can transfer the funds to another beneficiary within the same family or you can withdraw the funds, with penalty. For more information about Oklahoma’s 529 College Savings Plan, call 877.OK4SAVING toll free (877.654.7284) or visit Oklahoma529.org.
::Plan for Expenses::
It’s important to understand how much college will cost. College expenses vary depending on the type of school attended, the number of courses taken, the student's major and his or her personal lifestyle.
OKcollegestart.org helps students and their families plan for higher education in Oklahoma. To determine if your family is saving enough money for college, explore this chart highlighting estimated expenses or use this calculator from the College Savings Plan Network.
::Minimize the Cost::
There are a variety of ways to manage and minimize the cost of your child's education. In addition to this list, visit UCanGo2.org to learn more about planning, preparing and paying for college. While there, download the From Cradle to College brochure to learn how to prepare for your child's education early-on.
- Concurrent enrollment. This program allows eligible high school juniors and seniors to take up to six hours of credit-earning college courses, per semester. Tuition is at a discounted rate and classes can be transferred to some post-secondary institutions for college credit.
- Advanced Placement (AP) courses. These courses allow your child to take college level coursework in high school. Many Oklahoma colleges and universities award college credit to students who successfully complete these courses and pass the corresponding AP exams.
- College-Level Examination Program (CLEP). The CLEP program consists of 33 tests in a variety of subjects and gives your child the opportunity to earn college credit based on what he or she already knows. This process is often referred to as “testing-out” and can save your child time and you money. Visit the CLEP college search to see if your child's chosen college accepts CLEP.
- Cheaper solutions. Taking basic courses at a community college or living at home for the first few years of school are all great ways to slash college costs while still receiving a quality education and college experience.
::Find Financial Aid::
Encourage your child to apply for grants and scholarships; they’re a great way to pay for school. One of the most popular scholarships in our state is Oklahoma's Promise. Your child must enroll in this program during the 8th, 9th, 10th or 11th grade, and meet other enrollment criteria. To learn more, visit OKPromise.org.
It's also important to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) even if you think your family makes too much money. Submit the FAFSA as soon as it becomes available. Remember, the first "F" in FAFSA stands for "free" so never pay to complete the form. The official FAFSA website is StudentAid.gov. To learn more about the FAFSA process, including some answers to frequently-asked questions, visit StartWithFAFSA.org.
After maximizing grants, scholarships, federal work-study opportunities and family savings, federal student loans are a low-cost option for bridging the gap when paying for school. For more information about federal student loans, including common loan terminology, tips for responsible borrowing and repayment options, visit ReadySetRepay.org.
