College Planning Partners Blog

If you're like most parents, you're probably spending July thinking more about how to squeeze in that family vacation rather than how you will be paying the college bill for your high school junior or senior. It might be wise, however, to start thinking about some key moves now with respect to your finances.

For financial aid planning, income and assets are considered from your base year: the period January through December prior to the first year in which you apply for aid. That means the financial moves you make today are already having an impact on your 2011-12 college year.

A recent feature in the Personal Finance section of Smart Money highlights four investment moves likely to increase college financial aid. From retirement rollovers and capital gains to real estate and college savings funds, these are key areas financial aid officers review closely when determining need and merit based aid packages. Always consult your tax professional and financial advisor before making changes to your financial profile.

Visit SmartMoney.com to view the complete article.

For a complete review of your college savings plan and best strategies for your family, contact any of us at College Planning Partners. Our Diagnostic Evaluation is free and could be the difference in making tomorrow's tuition available at today's price.