Tags: University fees, school fees
Going to university can cost more than £7,000 a year when you take into
account tuition fees, accommodation, food, transport and socialising. IFAonline
asks top advisers what parents can do to save enough money to fund their
child's further education.
When considering university education you should ask yourself three
questions.
1. What will it cost to send a child to university for a year?
- Tuition fees £3,290
- Accommodation varies by
location but say £6,000
- Then there is the cost of
books and incidentals say £1,000
- Food £1,500
- Call it £12,000 a year for
3 years.
2. Can I afford it?
3. Before committing a great deal of hard earned cash, make sure your
child is both suited and prepared to do the work to justify the investment.
In theory a university educated student should command a higher salary in
the job market, but in reality a 2/2 in an arts-based subject does not
generally impress employers.
In terms of funding the trick is to start early; the longer you have to save
the less you need to put aside each month. As to where you put it, for terms of
over five years I would recommend stocks and shares ISAs; put the money on a
wrap platform and spread it between a number of fund managers and markets. Seek
independent financial advice for the selection.
If you have a lump sum then ISAs for each partner first and perhaps a unit
trust portfolio with the rest.
Some will favour child trust funds but I am not a fan of giving children
control of material sums at a young age. If they have control of the money they
may prefer the beach in Bali to a three year slog at uni. If the money is in a
CTF the child has the choice; if it is somewhere else; the parent has control.
You may agree to fund Bali but at least you get a choice.
If ISA allowances have been used up a series of maximum investment plans
maturing in sequential years required might be an option for a higher rate
taxpayer. Avoid friendly societies they are too expensive even with their bit
of tax relief.
If you have left it too late and you have some equity in your house a further
advance may help. Flexible mortgages with a drawdown facility can be helpful.
Last but by no means least student loans are an attractive way of funding
late planners cheaply. Take the student loan and the parents can help pay it
off later if they want to.
IFAonline| 09 Mar
2010 | 10:30
Author: Simon Webster