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Students who will begin college in the fall semester should receive their tuition bill a few months before the term begins. If you need more information, contact the bursar’s office or student financial services. Check the bill carefully to make sure you (if applicable) received awarded financial aid. Some schools require you to accept the financial aid offer, which is found in the student’s portal.
Tuition Payment Plans - Tuition payment plans provide you with the option to spread out tuition payments. Plans vary among colleges. Some allow multiple installments, while others require that you pay one lump sum per semester. A possible advantage to most tuition payment plans is that you might not incur the interest and finance charges that come with loans and borrowed money. Contact your college for more information about their tuition payment plan options.
Home Equity Loan or Line of Credit - An alternative or additional measure to pay for college is to use the equity in your home to help fund a college education. There are both home equity loans and home equity lines of credit. The difference between a loan and a line of credit is that loan proceeds are received in one lump sum. Although each person’s financial situation is different, you and your family may decide that one of these options is right for you.
Parent PLUS Loan - Parent PLUS loans are Federal loans designed to help parents pay for college costs. To apply for a PLUS loan, your family must complete the FAFSA financial aid application. Some colleges require additional paperwork. Parents may borrow up to the total cost of attendance, minus any other financial assistance received by the student. Repayment begins 60 days after the loan is disbursed, although some parents may qualify to defer payments until after the student leaves college (note—interest continues to accrue during deferment). The current interest rate on PLUS loans is 8.05%, which is fixed for the life of the loan. There’s also a loan origination fee of 4.228% of the amount borrowed.
If you request a deferment, you don’t make payments if your child is enrolled at least half-time and for an additional six months after the student graduates. You can speak with your loan officer about the deferment of payment. All borrowers must complete credit counseling for parent PLUS loan borrowers. Loans are typically paid back in 10-25 years.
Credit Cards - About 85% of colleges now accept credit cards for tuition and fees. On the surface, this seems like an easy way to pay for college and perhaps rack up some reward points at the same time. On the downside, many colleges charge additional fees for using this option.
According to creditcards.com, two-thirds of colleges charge a service fee - 2.75% is the most common – for this option. Charging $10,000 in tuition to your card could add an extra $275 to your cost. Add in the higher interest rates generally charged by credit card companies, and the added benefit of those “rewards” start to shrink pretty quickly.