Bedel Blog

More than half of higher education schools haven't started preparing for the significant changes coming to the FAFSA. While we may have to wait a bit longer than expected to see the changes, some key topics remain.

If there are thousands of dollars at stake, you would expect most parents and students to be anxious to apply. But unfortunately, that's not always the case. So even if you think you won't qualify, taking 60 minutes to complete the FAFSA could be well worth your time.

While it will sound boring to some, paying off loans or adding to your savings are two approaches that can help you now and grow your nest egg for when you need the money later.

A 529 plan is an investment account mainly for post-secondary education expenses. Money contributed is not deductible, but all earnings accumulate tax-deferred and are distributed tax-free if used for qualified education expenses.

Following these four steps will take some time, but probably not as much time as you think. And, when you follow these steps, the likelihood of qualifying for financial aid increases incalculably.

While Private 529s allow you to buy certificates to lock in current tuition rates for participating colleges, they don't allow you to invest your savings in marketable securities.

Having money left over in a 529 account may be viewed as a problem, but it is a problem most of us would love to have.

Looking to provide scholarship funds to your alma mater or favorite school? Gifting to a scholarship-granting organization (SGO) allows you to do just that while also realizing great tax benefits. Read on for all the details to help you put money in your alma mater’s pocket, while keeping a bit more in your own!

Can you pay for k-12 tuition with a 529 plan? You can now! While this could have a nice tax advantage for families that save, there is some very important information to understand first. We’ve broken down the benefits, the potential traps and ways to get around them.

Do you know what post-high school educational expenses qualify for tax-free reimbursement from your child’s 529 account? It’s important to know what expenses do qualify in order to avoid paying taxes and a penalty for those expenses that don’t.

Anyone with children knows the cost of a college education is steadily on the rise, and that money has to come from somewhere. So what's a parent to do? We discuss ways to 1) determine how much to save and 2) ways to save for your children's education.

Not all education paths after high school look the same…so what should you do about that 529 if your child decides to take a different path than traditional college? The good news is you do have options. Whether it’s attending a vocational school, going into the military or immediately joining the work force, your 529 savings aren’t lost. We break down just what your choices are and how those will affect you.

It’s not fun to watch your portfolio decrease in value, but there is a way to make lemonade out of lemons!

With the cost of college increasing; students acquiring significant debt; and the sluggish job market, is it worth getting a college degree?