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College Financial Planning: The Hartford Can Help You Make the Grade
We have an array of resources to assist you with college financial planning, including savings plans to help your child on the road to higher education.

A college education is a universal dream, but it may seem elusive as education costs continue to climb. Smart college financial planning can help make that dream a reality.

Learn About 529 Savings Plans

A savings vehicle known as a 529 savings plan is probably among the best-kept secrets of college financial planning. If you're not yet acquainted with 529 college savings plans, it's a good idea to learn about them. A 529 plan can be an important tool because it offers significant tax advantages.

Other popular college savings options include mutual funds, savings bonds, Coverdell Education Savings Accounts and UGMA/UTMA accounts, but 529 plans may offer advantages that can rival those of other college savings alternatives.

Calculate the cost of sending your child to college  and learn more about 529 savings plans.

Don't Delay—Starting Small is OK

Many parents delay saving for college because they believe they need a large sum to get off to the right start. In reality, it takes just a small amount to start a 529 college savings plan and regular contributions can make a major impact over time. Contributing as little as $50 a month to a 529 plan from a child's birth to the moment he or she enters college (equating to $10,800 contributed during that period) can result in significant college savings.

Have a Plan

It may be tempting to postpone college financial planning because you're focused solely on saving for retirement. You may even be relying on future scholarships to help your child earn his degree. It's true that loans or scholarships can play a role in the college savings mix, but relying on these sources to completely replace private savings can place an enormous burden on both you and your children.

An alternative approach, hatched well before the time comes to send a child off to school, is to embark on a dual savings strategy that takes both college and retirement savings into account.

Talk With a Financial Professional

A financial professional can play a critical role in college financial planning by helping you save smarter. Talk to your financial professional to learn more about the many benefits of 529 college savings plans.