Education Funding

    A college education opens doors to opportunity, earning power, and personal growth. But with rising costs, planning ahead is more important than ever. Whether your child is in diapers or already dreaming of dorm life, now is the time to build a smart college savings strategy.

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    College Funding

    College may be one of the biggest expenses your family will face—second only to buying a home. According to the College Board:
    Year 4-Year Public 4-Year Private
    2024-2025
    		 $29,910 $62,990
    2029-2030
    		 $38,174 $80,393
    2032-2033
    		 $44,191 $93,065

    College Funding

    College may be one of the biggest expenses your family will face—second only to buying a home. According to the College Board:
    Year 4-Year Public 4-Year Private
    2024-2025
    		 $29,910 $62,990
    2029-2030
    		 $38,174 $80,393
    2032-2033
    		 $44,191 $93,065
    Tip:
    You don’t need to save 100% of the cost. Many families aim for 50% and cover the rest with financial aid, income, or loans—just like a down payment on a home.

    How Much Can You Save?

    Even modest monthly contributions can grow significantly over time: 

    Monthly Investment 5 Years 10 Years 15 Years
    $100
    		 $6,977 $16,388 $29,082
    $300
    		 $20,931 $49,164 $87,246
    $500
    		 $34,885 $81,940 $145,409
    Note: Average 6.17% annual return.

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    Benefits of IRAs

    • Retirement Savings Growth
    • Retirement Savings Growth
    • Retirement Savings Growth
    • Retirement Savings Growth

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    Community Projects

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    $1M
    In Donations to our Community

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    17K+
    Hours Served in our Community

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    Reduce Risk
    • Minimize the amount of checks you're writing and mailing.
    • Don't leave checks in your mailbox awaiting pickup overnight, use a drop box if available.
    • Switch to ACH, Card, and other electronic payments for bills and direct deposits.
    • Move your payables to a separate checking account to protect your funds.
    • Reconcile your accounts daily, at least looking at the checks and specifically the payee to make sure they are valid.

    Required Documents

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    Three Years of Tax Returns.
    (Personal & Business)
    Balance Sheet
    (Personal & Business)
    Machinery Info
    Drivers License
    Sales Contracts
    Crop Projections

    Smart Ways to Save

    Explore tax-advantaged strategies to maximize your savings:

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    529 Plans

    • Tax-deferred growth and tax-free withdrawals for qualified education expenses
    • High contribution limits (up to $350,000+)
    • Use for college, K–12 tuition, and more
    loans

    Coverdell ESA

    • Contribute up to $2,000/year
    • Tax-free growth for K–12 and college expenses
    • Income limits apply
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    Custodial Accounts (UTMA/UGMA)

    • Assets held in your child’s name
    • Irrevocable gifts with tax advantages
    • Control transfers at age 18 or 21
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    Roth IRA

    • Withdraw contributions anytime, tax-free
    • Earnings can be used for college without penalty (restrictions apply)
    • Dual-purpose: retirement + education

    Financial Aid: What to Know

    Most families rely on some form of aid—grants, scholarships, loans, or work-study. Aid is based on:

    • Financial need (based on income)
    • Merit (academic or extracurricular achievement)
    Use each college’s Net Price Calculator to estimate your child’s eligibility. And remember: the more you save now, the less debt your family may need to take on later.

     

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    Loan Amount: The maximum loan amount is $806,500.

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    Loan Amount: The maximum loan amount is $806,500.

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    Looking for More Ways to Save?

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    Frequently asked questions

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