The threshold period before entering an institute of higher education can be one that is filled with anxiety, frustration and also excitement. Friends give you one opinion. A family gives you several more. Your high school teachers throw in their two pennies worth. Finally, you are left not knowing what to choose. In today’s world, not only are there many top-notch colleges offering a mind-boggling variety of courses, there are equally a large number of fraudulent institutions that are not all that they seem to be. Here are some simple suggestions for choosing the right college for your needs. Make a list of the type of college you are looking for in terms of on-campus or online colleges, co-educational or only boys /girls. Also, you would need to decide if you wish to have accommodation on campus or if you prefer to commute and be a day scholar. Then, make a list of three subjects that you have an aptitude for and that you would like to major in. Always remember that your specific educational choice may not be the most lucrative in terms of employment after college, but that it is equally important to follow your heart so that you don’t choose a field of study that doesn’t interest you.

Every parent dreams of giving his/her child the best education possible for it is only a sound education at the collegiate level that can assure a reasonably lucrative career for our children down the line. And, in these days when competition is so high, merely acquiring a Bachelor’s degree from just about any college is not adequate. However, many of the top league colleges also come with a very steep price tag, often way beyond the affordability of many. It is for this reason that it is of great importance to plan for your child’s educational needs well in advance. Ideally, most investment consultants advise financial planning soon after the birth of the baby. The 529 plans are long-term investment plans specifically focusing on those who wish to save money towards their children’s education, available exclusively to the Americans. Further, these plans come with an added tax advantage and permit savings from as less as US$25 per month up to a maximum of US$ 3, 00,000 for the duration of the plan. While there are a large number of 529 plans available across the USA, it is strongly advisable to choose a plan that offers age-based fund management options so that your savings are less subject to volatile markets.