What College Investment Options Do I Have?

As tax laws change, college investment planning becomes increasingly complex. The most beneficial strategies for creating a college fund are quite similar to other investment tactics. Investment products that are tax deferred, tax exempt, or transferable without tax consequences can be especially advantageous.

This is even more effective if you do your planning early.

One important aspect of an investment is its balance of yield and risk. Determine the amount of risk you can tolerate, given the amount of time you have to recover from any potential losses.

Take the time to familiarize yourself with the financial aid formulas. This will help you determine whether assets and income should be in your name or your child’s name. Structuring your investments ahead of time can have a significant effect on the net amount of funds available for your child’s education.

There are a number of funding options available for your college investment plan. This list contains a few of the more common.

Certificates of Deposit

CDs offer a reasonable return with a relatively high degree of safety. They are FDIC insured to $250,000* and offer a fixed rate of return, whereas the principal and yield of investment securities will fluctuate with changes in market conditions.

The interest earned on a CD is taxed as ordinary income. And CDs are not very liquid. You will pay a significant interest penalty for withdrawing money before it reaches maturity.

Bonds

Many people consider U.S. government bonds to be among the least risky investments available. They are guaranteed by the U.S. government as to the timely payment of principal and interest.

The interest on Series EE bonds is tax-free to low- and middle-income families if the proceeds are used to fund a college education. This benefit phases out for individuals and couples in the upper middle class and above.

Zero-coupon bonds are purchased at a substantial discount and pay their face value upon maturity. The value of these bonds is subject to market fluctuation. Because they do not pay interest until maturity, their prices tend to be more volatile than bonds paying interest regularly. Thus zero-coupon bonds make it possible to buy high-quality bonds for far less money up front. Interest income is subject to taxes annually as ordinary income, even though no income is being paid to the investor.

Stocks and Mutual Funds

Many people who use stocks to fund a college investment program invest in mutual funds.

Mutual funds are professionally managed. They buy and sell securities to meet the specific goals of their fund, weighing risk against security, yield against quality. They can be an effective addition to a college investment plan. Investment return and principal value of these investments will fluctuate. An investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost.

Mutual funds are sold only by prospectus. Please consider the investment objectives, risks, charges, and expenses carefully before investing. The prospectus, which contains this and other information about the investment company, can be obtained from your financial professional. Be sure to read the prospectus carefully before deciding whether to invest.

Making Choices

There are college investment options to fit almost any investor. No matter how modest or how ample your income, careful planning is the best way to “find” the money for college. The key is to start early and remain consistent.

*The $250,000 FDIC deposit insurance coverage limit is temporary and is scheduled to revert back to the $100,000 limit after December 31, 2013.

The information in this article is not intended to be tax or legal advice, and it may not be relied on for the purpose of avoiding any federal tax penalties. You are encouraged to seek tax or legal advice from an independent professional advisor.