Distinguished Contributor Archives

Parenting

5 Reasons to Make a Bucket List with Your Pre-College Teen

Here are five ways a pre-college bucket list can help the two of you savor this unique season and connect, reflect, and create memories that will last long after college…

Patricia A. Roberts, J.D.January 12, 2025

Parenting

From Waitress to Host: Lessons in Overcoming Obstacles

As both a first-gen student from a low-income family who had minimal support in my college planning process, and as a mom who recently helped see my son through his…

Patricia A. Roberts, J.D.December 15, 2024

Using Your 529

Giving Thanks for 529 Plans

Here are five 529 plan attributes that make them worthy of appreciation this time of year and as college nears: 1. Tax-Free Growth 529 plan tax advantages put them in…

Patricia A. Roberts, J.D.November 14, 2024

Close-up of Benjamin Franklins eyes on the U.S.

Affording College

6 Financial Steps to Avoid When College Costs are Around the Corner

While some routes are better than others, others can have an adverse impact on your family’s financial health. Here are six financial missteps to avoid when college costs are soon…

Patricia A. Roberts, J.D.November 11, 2024

Using Your 529

Options for School Refunds

Depending on the nature and timing of the change in direction, it’s possible that your child could be eligible for a partial refund from the institution they are attending. What…

Patricia A. Roberts, J.D.October 1, 2024

Affording College Junior Student Parenting

5 Reasons to Talk With Your Kid About College Financing Now

As a parent of a high school student, however, there’s no time like the present to have a candid conversation about college costs and the resources you have available to…

Patricia A. Roberts, J.D.September 24, 2024

Academic Success

Avoiding the Expense of Academic Delays

10 tips to help keep your child on track during their educational journey: Identify existing credits. When applying to college or entering the first semester, determine whether credits previously earned…

Patricia A. Roberts, J.D.April 4, 2024

Affording College

ScholarShare 529 Beneficiaries Poised to Receive Over 100,000 Gifts of College This Year

Last year ScholarShare 529 beneficiaries received 92,777 gifts of college through the plan’s online giving platform, ugift® ̶ ̶ a figure that has more than tripled since 2020.1 If current…

Mitchel A. BaumApril 1, 2024

Affording College Parenting

But How are YOU Feeling?

I recently had the opportunity to ask over 1,000 parents who are saving for college about their feelings ̶ were they confident, anxious, or somewhere in the middle and…

Mitchel A. BaumMarch 28, 2024

Affording College Senior Student

Staying Positive Amid Uncertainty: The Financial Aid Factor

Here are ten tips to keep a level head at this time of uncertainty while awaiting final admissions decisions and offers of financial aid. Be certain to file the Free…

Patricia A. Roberts, J.D.March 6, 2024

Parenting

Resolutions for Soon-to-be Empty Nesters

Here are five resolutions to guide soon-to-be empty nesters through a transformative year ahead: 1. Reflect on your contributions with pride. While focusing on what’s next for your child, take…

Patricia A. Roberts, J.D.January 18, 2024

Parenting

Discussing Your Child’s First Semester of College Together

Your child’s first months of college may have been challenging, stellar, or somewhere in between. Whether it’s your first child to wrap up an initial phase of college or your…

Patricia A. Roberts, J.D.December 5, 2023

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