Sending My Kids to College: The ScholarShare Solution

This is a sponsored post from One2One Network and ScholarShare. All opinions are my own.

The thought of sending FIVE kids to college pretty much gives me heart palpitations.  {{Thank goodness Jeff is a little more calm and collected about this.}}  I need to make sure my kids get the best chance at a fabulous and productive life and that absolutely includes a college education.  Not having a college education isn’t even a consideration.  Since before we know it,  Jeff and I will  have all of our children at Universities, my husband and I have been discussing that we need to make a solid and aggressive plan.  In California, we’ve found that a great way to do this is with a special savings account called ScholarShare.

What is ScholarShare?

It’s a 529 College Savings Plan that helps parents like me and you save money for our kiddos so that they can get the very best shot at their future.  529 plans are named for a section of the IRS code which give families a tax advantage.  {{that’s what I’m talking about}}  The ScholarShare College Savings Plan is offered by the State of California. TIAA- CREF Tuition Financing, Inc. (TFI) is the Plan Manager.

I’m actually quite excited that my kids don’t have the option (not that I think they would want to) of blowing their college tuition that is invested in a 529 plan on well, not their education or fees associated with it.  They can’t.  Since ScholarShare is a college savings account, they have it to use for tuition, books, school supplies, room and board and the like.  Eligible Universities and Colleges are included Nationwide.

Things to Love About ScholarShare

ScholarShare accounts may be opened with as little as $25.  {{I love that the minimum opening price is not prohibitive!}}

Any earnings are tax free.  So, no California or Federal taxes are applied to earnings on qualified withdrawals.

Mobile Access.  So important, right?  I require on-line tools and access with all of my current accounts.  Don’t you?

ScholarShare offers 19 investment portfolios, giving account holders more options, depending on their savings goals and risk tolerance.  This is particularly favorable for my family because my husband and I have different risk tolerance goals.  With 19 portfolios, we have quite a bit to choose from!

ScholarShare was rated one of the nine best college savings plans in the nation, which is something I can stand behind.   Additionally, ScholarShare did away with its 0.05 percent state administrative fee, on all of its passively managed portfolios in 2013, making it among the lowest priced plan in the nation.

This is a sponsored post from One2One Network and ScholarShare. All opinions are my own.