如何支付大学学费

在年轻的时候

If possible, a college savings program should be started when a child is young:

• 个人储蓄: Funds put aside by parents or grandparents in taxable investment and savings accounts.
• 税收优惠方法: IRC交会. 529年计划¹， Coverdell储蓄账户或美国银行.S. 储蓄债券.

高中时代

As college draws closer, continue any savings programs begun in the past:

• 奖学金及助学金: Many college scholarships or grants are awarded to students while they are still in high school.

在大学期间

If savings are inadequate, other resources will be needed. 考虑以下几点:

• 学生援助: Frequently a "package" which may include grants, 贷款, 奖学金或勤工俭学项目, with much of the funding coming from the federal government. 各州, private individuals and many colleges and universities are also a source of scholarships and grants.
• 军事项目: 美国.S. military has a number of programs to enable prospective, active duty and former service personnel to attend college.
• 税收优惠: Federal income tax law encourages higher education in a variety of ways, including education tax credits and a deduction for student loan interest.²
• 其他方法: The cost of education can be reduced by living at home or choosing a lower-cost state or community college. A home-equity loan or a loan from an employer-sponsored qualified retirement plan may provide additional funds.

毕业后

For some students, paying for college extends beyond the college years:

• 执行任何要求的服务: Some programs require the student to perform a period of service or work after graduation in return for help in funding college.
• 偿还学生贷款: Any outstanding 贷款 should be repaid as quickly as possible.
  
  

¹ Federal income tax law does not allow deductions for contributions to "529" plans, although growth inside a plan is tax-deferred and qualified distributions are tax-exempt. 状态 or local tax law, however, can vary widely. 529计划有投资风险, 包括可能的资金损失, and t在这里 is no guarantee a college-funding goal will be met. The fees, expenses, and features of 529年计划 vary from state to state.

² These comments concern federal income tax law; state or local income tax law may vary widely.