How to pay for college: Financial steps to take as school nears

It’s time. After years of planning for this important financial goal, your student’s college years are right around the corner. Among the many decisions you’ll make, a strategy for how to pay for college costs is critical. Your options may include savings, investments, financial aid, scholarships and potential loans.

As you and your student prepare, an Ameriprise financial advisor can help evaluate your choices, offer guidance on tax strategies and the FAFSA and help determine what is fitting for you and your long-term goals.

Here are key steps to consider ahead of your first tuition payment.

1. Bring your assets into focus

Before you finalize your financial plan for paying for college, take an inventory of your 529 plan balances and other expected funding sources — such as savings and investments — to determine the total amount you plan to contribute to your student’s education. Also consider how other contributions — such as gifts from grandparents — may come into play as you evaluate your options to pay for college tuition.

Learn more: College savings calculator 

Learn more: Saving for college: What to know about your options

Learn more: 529 plans: Frequently asked questions

2. Have a family conversation about college finances

During the college selection process, it is a good time to discuss the college experience your student wants to have and the financial implications of their college choices. Start with your college budget and agree on any potential contribution from your student.

As they submit applications, consider the projected costs of their top choices. Each school is required to have a net price calculator on its website where you can get a breakdown of the real cost of attendance. The net price calculator can provide an estimate for what your family may pay for tuition instead of the sticker price, before you receive a financial aid package.

3. Fill out the FAFSA — regardless of your income level 

Key to receiving financial aid is filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), which is used to determine aid from the government and most colleges and universities. Because multiple factors determine eligibility for aid under the FAFSA, submit it even if you assume your family’s income is too high to receive any form of aid. The information provided to the FAFSA is also used to obtain a variety of non-need-based federal loans, and many schools require the FAFSA to determine merit-based aid included in your financial package.

Learn more: FAFSA and CSS Profile: What are they and how do they work?

4. Consider your financial aid packages

After you receive financial aid award letters, review the packages and related expenses of your student’s top choices. Your child’s financial aid package may include scholarships, grants and work-study. But there are additional opportunities outside of this package that your child may be eligible for. 

Various scholarship-finder websites can help you identify opportunities based on financial need, merit, community service, heritage, gender, sexual orientation and life experience. Some also benefit students who have unique skills and hobbies. 

Learn more: College financial aid basics

5. Decide on student loans 

Now that you have a projected budget, you can determine whether a loan is the right option for your family. Perhaps you'd like your child to take out a federal loan so they have a role in financing their education and can establish a credit history. For these reasons, this may be a better option than extending a personal loan to your student. 

There are many different financing options, so plan to carefully weigh the pros and cons of each. If you and your student decide to borrow, you can help them fully understand the terms. A general guideline to consider is that the student’s projected total salary after graduation should be equal to or greater than 1.5 times the student loan balance. Monthly debt payments should not exceed 12% of after-tax take home pay.

Learn more: Student debt and college loans, explained

6. Decide how you'll make tuition payments

When the time comes to write a check to your student’s school, determine the details of how you want to pay college tuition: a lump-sum payment or installments. A tuition payment plan, offered by many higher education institutions, will help you do the latter. This option may be attractive because it allows you to make regular payments over a fixed period, such as the academic year or semester. However, there may be a fee to enroll in such plans.

If a grandparent or other family member is helping fund your student’s education, they may want to take advantage of the tuition gift tax exclusion, which can help reduce their taxable estate.

7. Consider taxes in your payment plan 

As you pay for college, consider all tax implications. Federal incentives like the American Opportunity Tax Credit, Lifetime Learning Credit and student loan interest deduction can be leveraged, if applicable, to offset education costs. But make sure to coordinate your 529 plan withdrawals with these credits. Tuition expenses paid with tax-free 529 plan funds are not eligible for a tax credit.

Learn more: Tax strategies for college savings and gifting

8. Set your student up for success

Before your student heads off to school, consider talking about budgeting in college and how to manage their expenses as young adults. For many students, college is full of new experiences, financial independence being one of them.

Learn more: How to budget in college: Financial advice for college students

Get help evaluating your options for paying for college

From tax strategies to FAFSA guidance, an Ameriprise financial advisor can help you make informed decisions about paying for your student’s school, while staying on track for other long-term goals, like retirement.