Families who plan to spend some time this summer visiting colleges should take notice beforehand of which colleges are good financial fits. The Project on Student Debt from TICAS, The Institute for College Access and Success, publishes an annual report on student debt that includes listings of high-debt colleges.

One question I get a lot in my financial planning practice is “How should I help with my grandchildren’s college costs?” There are many options: opening a 529 account on your own, gifting into the parents’ 529 accounts, UTMAs, direct payment of tuition, just to name a few. The answer, as is so often the case, is It Depends.

Link to an insightful NY Times article.

A three pronged strategy to review financial aid offers by a college counselor Julia Surtshin to ensure you make an informed evaluation of offers.

I’ve heard about credit cards that deposit money into 529 plan accounts instead of offering air or hotel points and they have always seemed like a reasonable option for some incremental savings. Then last week I met with a client who uses one and has over $16,000 in a 529 account, just from credit card points! That is free money on a pretty grand scale.

I know, I’ve been harping on the FAFSA lately. (Did you fill it out yet? If not, go here to do so.) For those who still have some time before applying to schools, let’s switch gears and talk about where aid comes from.