Having said that there s a way to get started even sooner before your child is born.
College account for baby.
A dedicated 529 savings plan is one of the most tax beneficial and efficient ways to build a college fund for baby.
I set up two of them for my daughters one of whom is in college.
Unlike 529 plans or educational iras you can use the payout money from your gerber life college plan for college expenses or anything else.
The important thing of course is to keep putting in money to your child s 529 every year and preferably every month.
Over the years i ve become a big fan of 529 college savings plans.
In nc 529 s case morgan says you can open an account for 25.
They are great savings vehicles with lots of flexibility and.
Saving about 500 a month now earning 5 along the way.
If you start saving for your 1 year old child s college today in a 529 plan you will have about in savings by the time your child is ready for college.
If you choose to set money aside in a regular savings account you could be missing out on tax benefits on baby s college savings.
They can also make contributions to an established 529 account under the child s parents name if the plan that the parents use accepts third party contributions.
Expecting college costs to continue growing say you want to cover 50 000 in annual college costs for four years when your baby turns 18.
Saving the same amount in the average savings account will only grow to which is less than using a 529 plan.
You can find the right type of college savings account for your child by answering a few questions.
You re giving your child a head start in life no matter what your child s future brings.
But making the right choice while your child is young even a baby can save you a lot of angst down the road when it comes time to apply for financial aid and search for scholarships.
Once you have it you are able to set up a college savings account in your child s name.
Family members can contribute to a child s college savings by opening their own 529 plan accounts.
Choosing the right college savings account for your child can seem overwhelming.