Generally you want to file the FAFSA as soon as you can. That’s because some aid sources are available “until funds are depleted”—the early bird gets the worm, as the saying goes. However, keep in mind that your assets are calculated on the date you file. If you have assets in excess of the Asset Protection Allowance (approximately $30,000, depending…
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CollegeFinancialLady
Benjamin Franklin lived a long time ago. Had he lived in the early 21st century, his quote might have been, “In this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death, taxes and acronyms.” If you’re beginning to look at college costs, you may be overwhelmed by acronyms and jargon. Here are some common ones: FAFSA: The Free Application…
The Oregonian’s Brent Hunsberger gives a great explanation of why target-date funds or age-based portfolios can be problematic: http://www.oregonlive.com/finance/index.ssf/2014/01/conservative_age-based_funds_i.html#incart_river
The biggest aid dollars come from the schools themselves in the form of merit aid, and sometimes it takes an extra step or two to be considered for a school’s merit aid. I’ll discuss merit aid in detail in a future post because if you’re a parent of a current senior who plans to go to college in fall 2014,…
Oregon residents who contribute to the Oregon 529 Plan can take a state tax deduction for contributions made up until April 15 (or when you file your taxes, if earlier). If you intend to make a 529 plan contribution in the first quarter of this year and did not contribute the maximum deductible amount ($4,455 for joint filers or $2,225…