inherit the thinking of j.p. morgan
College Planning Essentials
A comprehensive guide to saving and investing
Section 1
College matters
Section 5
appendix
Section 4
saving and investing
Section 3
Financial aid
4
Higher education pays
5
more education, less unemployment
6
Return on a college investment
7
“major” differences in salaries
38
Sources of financial aid
39
Financial aid: Types of applications
40
Federal aid methodologies
41
Federal student aid: A sample of grant programs
42
Federal student aid: Loan programs
43
College-related tax breaks
44
Comparing college savings options
45
The 529 plan advantage
46
Checklist: Choosing a 529 plan
47
529 plans: State tax benefits
48
index definitions
49
Disclosures
23
Current saving and investing trends
24
Comparing college savings vehicles
25
investing versus borrowing
26
investing for long-term growth
27
performance pays
28
The benefits of compounding
29
invest more, pay less
30
Tax-efficient investing
31
making college savings a family affair
32
Asset allocation provided a smoother ride
33
Staying diversified over 18 years
34
The power of diversification
35
Good intentions, unexpected consequences
36
College planning checklist
Section 2
College costs
9
Rising college costs
10
Future four-year college costs
11
Tuition inflation
12
The real cost of college
13
How college costs affect behavior
15
Financial aid overview
16
Financial aid reality check
17
Federal financial aid eligibility
18
The effect of savings on financial aid
19
Student loan landscape
20
private loans
21
The burden of debt
Co
ll
eg
e m
at
te
r
myth:
“ College is too expensive.”
Fact:
The return on an investment
in college is nearly $1 million
more in lifetime earnings.
page 4
College matters
The value of a college education is growing faster than
the cost. Today, a college diploma has become a necessity
for anyone seeking increased earning potential, job security
and career opportunity.
Common myths and facts
sECtIOn 1
myth:
“ Not even college
graduates can find a
job in this economy.”
Fact:
The unemployment rate
among college graduates
is currently just 3.2%.
page 5
myth:
“ College just isn’t worth
the student loan debt.”
Fact:
A college graduate earns
38% more than a high
school graduate, even after
factoring in student loans.
page 6
1. Source: Georgetown University, Failure to Launch: Structural Shift and the New Lost Generation, 2013.By 2020,
65%
of U.S.
jobs will require a degree
beyond high school, up
from
28%
in 1973.
165%
2020 1973
Co
ll
eg
e m
at
te
r
s
CO
LL
EG
E
CO
ST
S
fin
a
n
cia
l
a
id
sa
v
in
g & i
n
v
es
ti
n
g
4
|
INHERIT THE THINKING OF J.P. MORGANa
ppe
n
d
ix
• Bachelor’s degree holders
earn nearly
$1 million
more
over a lifetime than high
school graduates. Those with
doctorate degrees earn nearly
$2 million more
.
1• people who attend college
but
don’t receive a degree
earn only 12% more than
high school graduates.
2Higher education pays
A college diploma opens the door to
a lifetime of higher earnings.
1. Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2013 dollars, based on 2013 earnings projected over a typical work life of ages 25 through 64.
2. Source: Current population Survey, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2013 dollars, U.S. Department of Labor. j.p. morgan Asset management. Data are for persons age 25 and over. Earnings are for full-time wage and salary workers.
Average annual earnings
by highest degree earned
2DEGrEEs OF DIFFErEnCE
$100,000
$60,000
$80,000
$40,000
$20,000
$0
HIGH sCHOOL GraDUatE BaCHELOr’s DEGrEE PrOFEssIOnaL DEGrEE
71
100
163%
+
0+
X
+
29
GrEatEr PaY
85
70%
+
15
+
X
GrEatEr PaY
Co
ll
eg
e m
at
te
r
CO
LL
EG
E
CO
ST
S
fin
a
n
cia
l
a
id
sa
v
in
g & i
n
v
es
ti
n
g
a
ppe
n
d
ix
more education, less unemployment
College graduates enjoy
much better job security and
opportunity, especially during
economic downturns.
BrIGHt JOB PrOsPECts
•
The number of
college-educated americans with
jobs has increased 9.1%
since the beginning of the
recession.
1• The unemployment rate for
high school graduates aged
20 to 24 was 17.9% in 2012,
more than double the rate
for young college graduates
.
2•
a shortage of 5 million
college-educated workers
is projected by 2020.
31. Source: New York Times, College Graduates Fare Well in jobs market, Even Through Recession, 5/3/2013.
2. Source: TiCAS/project on Student Debt, Dec. 2013.
3. Source: Georgetown University Center on Education and Workforce, june 2013. Based on current production rate.
4. Source: j.p. morgan Asset management, Bureau of Labor Statistics, FactSet. Unemployment rates shown are for civilians aged 25 and older. Data are as of 9/30/14.
1992
0%
2%
4%
8%
6%
10%
12%
14%
16%
18%
1994
1996
1998
2000
2002
2004
2006
2008
2010
2012
2014
LEss tHan HIGH sCHOOL DIPLOma HIGH sCHOOL, nO COLLEGE
sOmE COLLEGE
COLLEGE Or GrEatEr
Unemployment rates by education level
As of August 2014
49.1%
Less than high school diploma
6.2%
High school, no college
5.4%
Some college
3.2%
Co
ll
eg
e m
at
te
r
s
CO
LL
EG
E
CO
ST
S
fin
a
n
cia
l
a
id
sa
v
in
g & i
n
v
es
ti
n
g
6
|
INHERIT THE THINKING OF J.P. MORGANa
ppe
n
d
ix
Return on a college investment
Even students who borrow for college can expect a
significant long-term return on their investment.
Estimated cumulative earnings minus student loan repayment
Bachelor’s degree versus high school diploma
CU
m
U
La
tI
v
E n
Et
Ea
r
n
In
G
s
aGE
18
22
26
30
34
38
42
46
50
54
58
62 64
$0
$200,000
$1,200,000
$1,000,000
$800,000
$600,000
$400,000
BaCHELOr’s DEGrEE HIGH sCHOOL DIPLOma
38% rEtUrn On InvEstmEnt
in this scenario, a college diploma pays
for itself by age
36
.
The college graduate earns 38% more
over a lifetime than the high school
graduate, even when factoring in loan
repayment of full tuition costs.
Source: College Board, Education pays 2013. Based on median 2011 earnings for individuals working full time year-round at each education level and each age. includes only students who complete degrees; excludes bachelor's degree recipients who earn advanced degrees. Assumes college graduates borrow $14,352 to cover total first-year tuition and fee charges for 2011–2012 (weighted average of $8,256 average public year in-state and $27,883 private nonprofit four-year tuition and fees) for the first four-year and 5% more each of the next three years. Tuition payments and earnings are discounted at 3%, compounded every year beyond age 18.
36
Co
ll
eg
e m
at
te
r
CO
LL
EG
E
CO
ST
S
fin
a
n
cia
l
a
id
sa
v
in
g & i
n
v
es
ti
n
g
a
ppe
n
d
ix
“major” differences in salaries
$0
$10,000
$20,000
$30,000
$40,000
$50,000
$60,000
Choice of college major has a significant
impact on a graduate’s starting salary.
saLarIEs On tHE rIsE
• On average, starting salaries
for the class of 2014 are
6.6% higher
than for the
class of 2012.
• if salaries continue rising at
this pace,
the average child
born today would earn
roughly $91,700
in the first
year after college.
all degrees
$45,473math and sciences
$43,414Humanities and
social sciences
$38,365Engineering
$62,719Computer science
$61,741Communications
$43,924Business
$53,901Health sciences
$51,541Education
$40,863Average yearly starting salary
by college major for the class of 2014
CO
LL
EG
E
CO
ST
S
myth:
“ i know how expensive
college is.”
Fact:
many families underestimate
just how much college costs
and how quickly prices rise.
pages 9 and 10
Common myths and facts
College Planning Essentials: A comprehensive guide to saving and investing
myth:
“ i’m not concerned about college
inflation. it has to slow down at
some point.”
Fact:
Tuition continues to rise at a
much faster rate than other
expenses, so your savings need
to keep pace.
page 11
myth:
“ i’ll just make a few
compromises to help pay
for college.”
Fact:
Non-savers often don’t realize
the sacrifices needed to make
college affordable.
page 13
1. Source: Sallie Mae, How America Pays for College, 2014.College costs
Saving for college starts with a plan. And a plan starts
with a goal. it’s important to understand college costs
so you know how much to save by enrollment time.
sECtIOn 2
of families have to rule out
colleges because of cost.
1Two-thirds
CO
LL
EG
E
CO
ST
Co
ll
eg
e m
at
te
r
CO
LL
EG
E
CO
ST
S
fin
a
n
cia
l
a
id
a
ppe
n
d
ix
sa
v
in
g & i
n
v
es
ti
n
g
• if prices increase 5% each
year, the
cost of college
will more than double
by 2032.
Rising college costs
College savings need to grow
at a healthy rate to match or
exceed rapidly rising costs.
Note: Average tuition and fees for the public sector reflect four-year, in-state charges.
Source: j.p. morgan Asset management using The College Board, 2013 Trends in College pricing. Future college costs estimated to inflate 5% per year.
KEEPInG PaCE
2016 2018 2020 2022 2024 2026 2028 2030 2032
2014
$0
$60,000
$80,000
$100,000
$120,000
$40,000
$20,000
Tuition, fees, room and board expenses
PrOJECtED
annUaL COsts
for 2032
Private
$98,472
Public
$44,260
PrIvatE
PUBLIC
tODaY
tOmOrrOW
Private
Public
Room and board 26%
Tuition and fees 74%
Total Cost
$40,917
Room and board 52%
Tuition and fees 48%
10
|
INHERIT THE THINKING OF J.P. MORGANCo
ll
eg
e m
at
te
r
s
CO
LL
EG
E
CO
ST
S
fin
a
n
cia
l
a
id
a
ppe
n
d
ix
sa
v
in
g & i
n
v
es
ti
n
g
Future four-year college costs
Source: j.p. morgan Asset management, using The College Board, 2013 Trends in College pricing. Future college costs estimated to inflate 5% per year.
$0
$50,000
$100,000
$150,000
$200,000
$250,000
$300,000
$350,000
$400,000
$450,000
$500,000
Projected cost of a four-year college education
Based on child’s current age
$117,114 $106,226
$96,350 $87,392
$79,268
$260,560 $236,336
$214,364 $194,434
$176,357
PUBLIC
PrIvatE
$287,268
$129,118
$316,713
$142,353
$349,176
$156,944
$384,966
$173,031
$424,425
$190,767
The younger the child, the more college is likely to cost. Add up four years per child, and it equals one of a family’s largest expenses.
newborn
Co
ll
eg
e m
at
te
r
CO
LL
EG
E
CO
ST
S
fin
a
n
cia
l
a
id
a
ppe
n
d
ix
sa
v
in
g & i
n
v
es
ti
n
g
Tuition inflation
College tuition costs have
increased faster than any
other household expense
in recent decades.
• Colleges are
spending more
to attract the best students.
• Colleges are
hiring more
to reduce student-to-faculty
ratios.
• Colleges are
receiving less
financial support
from
cash-strapped states.
WHY COsts arE rIsInG
Source: BLS, Consumer price index, j.p. morgan Asset management. Data represents cumulative percentage price change from 1983 through 2014.
108%
135%
174%
192%
330%
688% 25%
44%
0%
100%
200%
300%
400%
500%
600%
700%
Gas
apparel
Cars
Coffee
Housing
sweets
medical Care
tuition
Tuition versus other expenses
Cumulative percent price change since 1983
12
|
INHERIT THE THINKING OF J.P. MORGANCo
ll
eg
e m
at
te
r
s
CO
LL
EG
E
CO
ST
S
fin
a
n
cia
l
a
id
a
ppe
n
d
ix
sa
v
in
g & i
n
v
es
ti
n
g
$40,920
The real cost of college
Net price is the “sticker price” (full cost) to attend a college, minus any grants and
scholarships received. While most families don’t pay the full sticker price, actual costs
vary considerably based on household income and the college’s financial aid policies.
aFFLUEnt FamILIEs
PaY mOrE
Due to financial aid policies,
higher-income families
paid 36%
more
than lower-income families
in 2013–14.
1Public four-year institutions
1Private nonprofit, four-year institutions
11. Source: The College Board, 2013 Trends in College pricing. Figures are in 2013 dollars. 2. Source: Sallie mae, How America pays
for College, 2014.
$18,390
$0
$10,000
$20,000
$30,000
$40,000
$9,400
$10,850
$12,000
$10,370
$10,800
$12,620
–31.4%
’13–’14
’13–’14
’11–’12
’11–’12
’09–’10
’09–’10
’07–’08
’07–’08
’05–’06
’05–’06
’03–’04
’03–’04
$0
$10,000
$20,000
$30,000
$40,000
$22,630
$23,940
$21,980
$23,190
$22,540
$23,290
–43.1%
Net price
Sticker price
nEt PrICE
On average, families paid
31% below
sticker
price
at public colleges and
43% less
at private colleges in 2013–14.
HIGH-INCOME FAMILIES
Co
ll
eg
e m
at
te
r
CO
LL
EG
E
CO
ST
S
fin
a
n
cia
l
a
id
a
ppe
n
d
ix
sa
v
in
g & i
n
v
es
ti
n
g
45%
Parent
reduces
spending
48%
Student
works
more
How college costs affect behavior
To better afford college, many families must choose less expensive schools or change their daily lifestyles.
Elimination of colleges based on cost
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
OFF tHE LIst
After reviewing their financial
aid package,
67%
of families
ruled out some colleges based
on cost,
up from 56% in 2009.
Source: Sallie mae, How America pays for College, 2013 and 2014.
Actions taken to make college more affordable
percentage of people taking each action
Parent
works
more
19%
Student
changes
major
19%
Student
accelerates
education
28%
Student
reduces
spending
66%
54%
Student
lives at
home
stUDEnt aCtIOns ParEnt aCtIOns
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
56%
63%
64%
69%
67%
67%
fin
a
n
cia
l
a
id
Financial aid
sECtIOn 3
Financial aid can help pay for college, but not all aid
is free and not everyone qualifies. The more you
save now, the less you may have to borrow later.
myth:
“ Financial aid is free money.”
Fact:
Nearly 40% of federal aid
comes in the form of loans
that must be paid back
with interest.
page 15
Common myths and facts
College Planning Essentials: A comprehensive guide to saving and investing
myth:
“ i don’t need to save
because my child will
receive a scholarship.”
Fact:
Only 0.3% of college students
actually get a full ride.
page 16
myth:
“ Saving for college will hurt
my chances for financial aid.”
Fact:
Savings generally have
little impact on financial
aid eligibility when the funds
are held in parents’ names.
pages 17 and 18
1. Source: Project on Student Debt, The Institute for College Access & Success (TICAS), December 2013.more than 7 in 10
college seniors
graduated with student
loan debt in 2012.
1CO
LL
EG
E
CO
ST
S
fin
a
n
cia
l
a
id
a
ppe
n
d
ix
sa
v
in
g & i
n
v
es
ti
n
g
Co
ll
eg
e m
at
te
r
tOtaL aID In 2012–13
$185.1 billion
Financial aid overview
most college students require
financial assistance of some kind,
but 37% of all aid comes in the
form of loans that must be paid
back with interest.
aID Is DOWn, tUItIOn Is UP
• From 2001 to 2011, state and
local financing per student
declined
24%
nationally.
From 2001 to 2014, tuition and
fees increased
79%
at state
colleges and nearly
32%
at
non-profit private institutions.
• Federal grants declined by
$2.6 billion
over the past year.
Undergraduate student aid by source and type
in billions, 2012–13
Borrowed
Free money
$67.8
(37%)
(24%)
(19%)
(9%)
(5%)
$45.3
$34.9
$16.9
$9.8
Federal loans
State grants
Private and
employer grants
Federal work study
$0.9 (<1%)
Federal grants
Institutional
grants
Education
tax benefits
Note: percentages may not total 100% due to rounding. Source: The College Board, 2013 Trends in Student Aid.
Average aid package
for full-time undergraduate
students, 2012–13
Federal loans
$4,900
tax credits, deductions and federal work study
$1,280
Grant aid from all sources
$7,190 Average total
aid package
$13,370
16
|
INHERIT THE THINKING OF J.P. MORGANCO
LL
EG
E
CO
ST
S
fin
a
n
cia
l
a
id
a
ppe
n
d
ix
sa
v
in
g & i
n
v
es
ti
n
g
Co
ll
eg
e m
at
te
r
s
Financial aid reality check
many families expect more free money
from grants and scholarships than they
are likely to receive.
mOrE aPPLICatIOns, LEss aID
• Financial aid applicants include
85%
of middle-income families
and
65%
of high-income
families. The more people
applying, the less aid there is to
go around.
11. Source: Sallie mae, How America pays for College, 2014. 2. Source: finaid.org. Based on full-time students at four-year colleges. 3. Source: Sallie mae, How America Saves for College, 2014 and The College
Board, Trends in College pricing, 2013.
of college students receive enough grants and scholarships
to cover all costs.2
0.3
%
Financial aid
expectations
361
%
61%
of parents
who are not yet
saving for college
expect scholarships
or grants to cover
the costs.
Grant reality
2013–14
Scholarship reality
2013–14
Private23%
4-year
Public
26%
2-year
Public
30%
43
%
44
%
of total families received a grant, with an average amount of $6,6431
of total families received a scholarship, with an average amount of $8,0251
Percent of total costs covered by grants
Percent of total costs covered by scholarships
Private
37%
4-year
Public
24%
2-year
Public
CO
LL
EG
E
CO
ST
S
fin
a
n
cia
l
a
id
a
ppe
n
d
ix
sa
v
in
g & i
n
v
es
ti
n
g
Co
ll
eg
e m
at
te
r
1. Source: Sallie mae, How America pays for College 2014. 2. Based on federal methodology for 2014–15 school year.
3. protected amount for parents is dependent upon a number of factors, including household size and number of students in college.
Federal financial aid eligibility
The Department of Education processes the Free Application for Federal Student
Aid (FAFSA) to determine the Expected Family Contribution (EFC). This is the amount
parents and students are expected to pay directly from their income and savings.
FEDEraL aID
in 2013–14,
81%
of families
with a college-bound child
applied for federal aid.
1tOtaL COLLEGE
COsts EaCH YEar
COntrIBUtIOn (EFC)
EXPECtED FamILY
aID ELIGIBILItY
FInanCIaL
GranDParEnts/
OtHErs
0%
of income and assets considered in federal financial aid formulas. However, withdrawals for college by grandparents or others may be
considered student income and must be reported on the following year’s financial aid forms. Such income can reduce the amount of
aid by 50%.
ParEnts
Income
Up to
5.64%
of non-retirement assets above protected amount, including 529 plans,
investments and savings
assets
+
50%
of income above protected amount of $6,260
20%
of all assets in bank accounts, CDs, UGmAs/ UTmAs and any
other savings
Income
stUDEnts
+
assets
Colleges use the EFC to
calculate the total
cost of
attendance
— tuition, fees and
other expenses — which then
determines how much financial
aid is available to a student.
tOtaL EFC
HOW EFC Is
CaLCULatED
2A family’s
current
annual income
, including
the student’s, counts far
more in the formula than
savings and investments,
especially when they’re
held in the parents’ names.
of adjusted gross income above the protected
amount3
18
|
INHERIT THE THINKING OF J.P. MORGANCO
LL
EG
E
CO
ST
S
fin
a
n
cia
l
a
id
a
ppe
n
d
ix
sa
v
in
g & i
n
v
es
ti
n
g
Co
ll
eg
e m
at
te
r
s
The effect of savings on financial aid
Savings actually count far less than current income when calculating your
Expected Family Contribution (EFC) for federal financial aid purposes.
529 PLan aDvantaGE
• When a 529 account is
owned by parents, it has
much less impact on federal
financial aid eligibility than
custodial accounts.
Maximum parental savings considered in federal financial aid formulas.
5
5.64
%
+
95
T
Big difference in college savings, little difference in financial aid
Federal financial aid for two families earning the same income and sending a
child to the same college costing $30,000 per year
1EXPECtED FamILY COntrIBUtIOn FEDEraL FInanCIaL aID
$30,000
$20,000
$10,000
$0
Smiths
$75,000 saved in
529 plan
Wilsons
No savings
$18,152
$16,229
$11,848
$13,771
The Smiths have
$75,000
more in savings
but
get just $1,923 less in
financial aid.
1. Source: j.p. morgan Asset management and finaid.org.
Assumes both families earn $100,000 annually and 529 plan is owned by the parents. Does not include non-federal financial aid opportunities such as scholarships.
CO
LL
EG
E
CO
ST
S
fin
a
n
cia
l
a
id
a
ppe
n
d
ix
sa
v
in
g & i
n
v
es
ti
n
g
Co
ll
eg
e m
at
te
r
Student loan landscape
Student loan debt has soared in recent years, putting an increased
financial burden on college graduates and their parents.
subsidized stafford Loans
For undergraduate
students with
documented financial
need. The government
pays interest while the
student is in college.
Unsubsidized stafford Loans
For undergraduate
and graduate
students regardless
of financial need. The
government does not
pay interest while the
student is in college.
Grad PLUs
For graduate
students only.
Parents PLUs
For parents only.
Perkins
For students with
high need at some
institutions.
Private Education Loans*
Offered by private
lenders, they can
either supplement
or replace federally
guaranteed loans.
$0
$10
$20
$30
$40
$50
$60
$70
$80
$90
$100
$110
2005–06
2007–08
2009–10
2011–12
2012–13
t
$113.4
t$110.4
t
$113.9
t
$99.7
t
$87.6
Issuance of federal and private loans
Selected years, 2012 dollars in billions
11. Source: The College Board, 2013 Trends in Student Aid.
2. project on Student Debt, The institute for College Access & Success (TiCAS), December 2013.
* Note: private education includes loans to students from states and from institutions, in addition to private loans by banks, credit unions and Sallie mae.
In 2012,
71% of college
seniors
graduated
with student loan debt
20
|
INHERIT THE THINKING OF J.P. MORGANCO
LL
EG
E
CO
ST
S
fin
a
n
cia
l
a
id
a
ppe
n
d
ix
sa
v
in
g & i
n
v
es
ti
n
g
Co
ll
eg
e m
at
te
r
s
private loans
With college costs rising faster than the
availability of federal aid, many families
are choosing to fill the growing gap
with private loans.
• Americans currently owe
more
than
$165 billion
in outstanding
private student loan debt.
2• Outstanding private loan debt has
nearly
tripled since 2005
.
• private student loans tend to have
higher interest rates
and
less
flexible repayment options
than
federal loans.
PrIvatE LOans at a GLanCE
1. Source: private Student Loan Report 2012, Consumer Finance protection Bureau.
2. Source: Consumer Financial protection Bureau, mid-year snapshot of private student loans complaints, july 2013.
Private student loans
Outstanding loans (in billions)
1Private loan defaults
as of 2012
$8 billion
in defaulted private loans distinct loans in default
850,000
2005
$55.9
2007
$101.1
2011
$140.2
2009
$133.0
2013
CO
LL
EG
E
CO
ST
S
fin
a
n
cia
l
a
id
a
ppe
n
d
ix
sa
v
in
g & i
n
v
es
ti
n
g
Co
ll
eg
e m
at
te
r
The burden of debt
Families that don’t save enough for
college often have no other choice than
to borrow. Today, a record four in ten
households owe student loan debt.
1Debt balances
by type of consumer loan
2The debt impact
percent of student borrowers who said loans had this effect
5• Student loan debt
more than
quadrupled
to $1.1 trillion between
2004 and 2014.
2• The average student borrower
owes over
$29,000
in loans.
3• Student loan defaults are at a
20-year high
, affecting over
7 million borrowers.
4DrOWnInG In DEBt
Harder to buy
necessities
27%
Harder to
buy a home
75%
put off
marriage
29%
Delayed starting
a family
43%
1. Source: pEW Research Center. October 2013 Survey. Households headed by a person younger than 40. 2. Source: New York Federal Reserve, Household Debt and
Credit Report, 2Q 2014.
3. Source: The institute for College Access and Success (TiCAS), Student Debt and The Class of 2012, December 2013. 4. Source: U.S. Department of Education, September 2013. 5. Source: American Student Assistance, Life Delayed:
The impact of Student Debt on the Daily Lives of Young Americans, 2013.
$0.4 trillion
$0.6 trillion
$0.8 trillion
$1.0 trillion
$1.2 trillion
’04
’05
’06
’07
’08
’09
’10
’11
’12
’13
’14
stUDEnt LOan
CrEDIt CarD aUtO LOan HOmE-EqUItY LOan
in 2010, student loan debt
surpassed credit card debt
for the first time in history.
sa
v
in
g & i
n
v
es
ti
n
g
Saving and investing
sECtIOn 4
Choosing the right savings plan and following time-tested
investment strategies can help you reduce taxes, increase
growth potential and accumulate more for college.
myth:
“ All college savings plans
are the same.”
Fact:
College savings plans
differ in a variety of ways,
including investments, tax
benefits and flexibility.
pages 24 and 30
Common myths and facts
College Planning Essentials: A comprehensive guide to saving and investing
myth:
“ i’ll just take out a loan
if i don’t save enough.”
Fact:
it costs more to borrow
and pay interest than to
invest and earn interest.
page 25
myth:
“ it’s too early to start saving
for college.”
Fact:
Starting early and
saving regularly helps
you maximize the power
of compounding.
page 28
1. Source: Sallie mae, How America Saves for College, 2014.of families saving for
college invest in 529 plans.
1Only 29%
CO
LL
EG
E
CO
ST
S
fin
a
n
cia
l
a
id
sa
v
in
g & i
n
v
es
ti
n
g
a
ppe
n
d
ix
Co
ll
eg
e m
at
te
r
Current saving and investing trends
Half of U.S. families aren’t saving for college. The other half often
choose vehicles that don’t maximize their growth potential, such
as CDs, taxable investments or accounts intended for retirement.
Percentage of families using:
18%
Retirement Savings Accounts16%
CDs45%
General Savings Accounts
29%
529 College Savings Plan
20%
Investments11%
Trust Fund14%
Prepaid or Guaranteed StateCollege Savings Program
24%
Checking Account13%
Coverdell EducationSavings Accounts
Source: Sallie mae, How America Saves for College, 2014.
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
10%
UGMA/UTMAFamILIEs DOn’t FULLY
maXImIzE GrOWtH POtEntIaL
more parents—45%—save for college
with low-yielding savings accounts than
any other method.
FAMILIES USING A
529 PLAN FAMILIES USING A TRADITIONAL SAvINGS ACCOUNT
On average, those parents with a
529 plan
save 68% more
than those
simply using a savings account.
24
|
INHERIT THE THINKING OF J.P. MORGANCO
LL
EG
E
CO
ST
S
fin
a
n
cia
l
a
id
sa
v
in
g & i
n
v
es
ti
n
g
a
ppe
n
d
ix
Co
ll
eg
e m
at
te
r
s
7
+
93
+
U
5
+
95
+
U
Comparing college savings vehicles
Understanding the different tax benefits and features of college savings
vehicles can help you choose the right one for your needs.
of parents own UGMA/
UTMA accounts
529 college savings plan
Custodial account (UGMA/UTMA)
Coverdell Education Savings Account
• Tax-free investing and withdrawals for
any qualified higher education expense*
• Account owner control for
the life of the account
• No income limits on contributors
• High contribution maximums
• Low impact on financial aid eligibility
• Funds must be used for the child’s
benefit, not necessarily for college
• portion of investment earnings taxed at
child’s and parents’ rates
• Child assumes control at age of majority,
usually 18 or 21
• High impact on financial aid eligibility
• Tax-free investing and withdrawals
for any level of education*
• income limits on contributors
• Age limits on beneficiaries
• maximum contribution of $2,000
annually per beneficiary
• Low impact on financial aid eligibility
of parents own
529 plans
27
29%
+
73
+
U
10%
13%
of parents own
Coverdell accounts
* Earnings on non-qualified withdrawals may be subject to federal income tax and a 10% federal penalty tax, as well as state and local income taxes.
CO
LL
EG
E
CO
ST
S
fin
a
n
cia
l
a
id
sa
v
in
g & i
n
v
es
ti
n
g
a
ppe
n
d
ix
Co
ll
eg
e m
at
te
r
College savings plan versus student loan
initial investment of $1,000
plus
monthly investment of $300
2investing versus borrowing
it costs less to invest now than to
borrow later. When you borrow for
college, you
pay interest
. When you
invest, you
earn interest
and other
forms of investment returns.
It taKEs a PLan
• Without a plan, families run
the risk of not saving enough
and borrowing too much. Yet
43%
of high-income families
and
61%
of middle-income
families
don’t have a plan
to
pay for college.
1$200,000
$150,000
$100,000
$50,000
$0
College savings plan
over 18 years
principal and
College loan:
interest
$119,143
InvEstmEnt GrOWtH OUt-OF-POCKEt COst
out-of-pocket difference
with 529 plan
$101,753
Average loan debt at graduation
for parents
3$10,000
$15,000
$33,800
$7,500
$0
1993
2003
2012
$20,000
$30,000
$40,000
a BUrDEn FOr
EvErYOnE
The average parental
debt load has
more than
doubled
in a decade to
$33,800
in 2012, while
the average debt faced by
students was more than
$29,000
in 2012.
4 1. Source: Sallie mae, How America pays for College, 2014.2. Source: j.p. morgan Asset management. The investing illustration assumes an initial lump sum investment of $1,000, subsequent monthly investments of $300 thereafter for 18 years, and assumes an annual investment return of 6% and federal tax rate of 28%. investment losses could affect the relative tax-deferred investment advantage. Each investor should consider his or her current and anticipated investment horizon and income tax bracket when making an investment decision, as the illustration may not reflect these factors. The borrowing illustration assumes an interest rate of 7.21% and a payback period of 10 years. This hypothetical illustration is not indicative of any specific investment and does not reflect the impact of fees or expenses.
The chart is shown for illustrative purposes only. past performance is no guarantee of future results. 3. Source: The Wall Street journal, parent Trap: What to
Know Before Taking a College Loan, FinAid.org analysis of Department of Education data, march 24, 2013. 4. Source: The institute for College Access and Success
(TiCAS), December 2013.
$167,553
26
|
INHERIT THE THINKING OF J.P. MORGANCO
LL
EG
E
CO
ST
S
fin
a
n
cia
l
a
id
sa
v
in
g & i
n
v
es
ti
n
g
a
ppe
n
d
ix
Co
ll
eg
e m
at
te
r
s
s&P 500
U.s. 30-DaY trEasUrY BILLs COnsUmEr PrICE InDEX COLLEGE tUItIOn anD FEEs
investing for long-term growth
Starting a college savings plan early allows more time to
hold investments with higher return potential.
$100
$10
$1
DEC ’78
DEC ’83
DEC ’88
DEC ’93
DEC ’98
DEC ’03
DEC ’08
DEC ’13
Growth of one dollar
December 1978 to December 2013
Source: j.p. morgan Asset management. past performance is no guarantee of future results. Hypothetical value of $1 invested at the beginning of 1979. Assumes reinvestment of income and no transaction costs or taxes. This is for illustrative purposes only and not indicative of any investment. An investment cannot be made directly in an index.
stOCKs OUtPaCE
tUItIOn InFLatIOn
While short-term investments
grew more slowly than
tuition costs, stocks
delivered high returns to
help beat college inflation
and achieve savings goals.
t
$52.23
t
$12.05
t$5.50
CO
LL
EG
E
CO
ST
S
fin
a
n
cia
l
a
id
sa
v
in
g & i
n
v
es
ti
n
g
a
ppe
n
d
ix
Co
ll
eg
e m
at
te
r
performance pays
Even small increases in investment
returns can make a big difference when
it comes time to pay for college.
sEEKInG HIGHEr rEtUrns
•
Be an investor
, not just a
saver in low-yielding bank
accounts.
•
Stay invested
for the
long haul to avoid the risk
of being out of markets
during upswings.
•
Reduce taxes
to keep more
of what you earn.
1. Source: j.p. morgan Asset management using The College Board 2013 Trends in College pricing. This hypothetical assumes an investment of $100,000 over an 18-year period. Different assumptions will result in outcomes different from this example. investment losses could affect the relative tax-deferred investing advantage. This hypothetical illustration is not indicative of any specific investment and does not reflect the impact of fees or expenses. Such costs would lower performance. Each investor should consider his or her current and anticipated investment horizon and income tax bracket when making an investment decision.
Investment growth over 18 years
Calculations assume an initial investment
of $100,000 at birth
$450,000
$350,000
$400,000
$300,000
$250,000
$200,000
$150,000
$100,000
1
0
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
t$399,602
of $100,000
covers a year of tuition at aPublic College
(in-state)
covers a full year's cost at
Public College
(out-of-state)
covers a full year's cost at
Private College
covers a full year's cost at
Ivy League College
Initial Investment
Slightly higher returns can pay for a full year of college
1+$14,501
$337,993
7%
7.25%
+$29,587
7.5%
+$45,282
7.75%
+$61,609
8.0%
Difference of
$61,609
t$337,993
7.75% annUaL rEtUrn
7.5% annUaL rEtUrn 8% annUaL rEtUrn
7.25% annUaL rEtUrn
28
|
INHERIT THE THINKING OF J.P. MORGANCO
LL
EG
E
CO
ST
S
fin
a
n
cia
l
a
id
sa
v
in
g & i
n
v
es
ti
n
g
a
ppe
n
d
ix
Co
ll
eg
e m
at
te
r
s
The benefits of compounding
The sooner you start saving, the more time you may
have to grow your college fund through the power of
long-term compounding. Even small contributions add
up over time.
Total
accumulation
in 6 years
Total
accumulation
in 12 years
Total
accumulation
in 18 years
$50,000
$100,000
$150,000
$200,000
$0
$100 mOntHLY COntrIBUtIOns $250 mOntHLY COntrIBUtIOns $500 mOntHLY COntrIBUtIOns
Start early, small savings add up
Total amounts accumulated over 6, 12 and 18 years
1if you start saving $500 per month
when a child is born, you'll earn
$84,214 more
than if you start at age six.
$8
,3
70
$2
0
,9
26
$4
1,
85
2
$5
0
,6
10
$10
1,
22
0
$37
,08
7
$92
,7
17
$1
85,
43
4
$2
0
,24
4
1. Source: j.p. morgan Asset management. This hypothetical example illustrates the future values of different regular monthly investments for different time periods. Chart also assumes an annual investment return of 6% and a federal tax rate of 28%. investment losses could affect the relative tax-deferred investing advantage. This hypothetical illustration is not indicative of any specific investment and does not reflect the impact of fees or expenses. Such costs would lower performance. Each investor should consider his or her current and anticipated investment horizon and income tax bracket when making an investment decision, as the illustration may not reflect these factors. a plan of regular investment cannot assure a profit or protect against a loss in a declining market. the chart is shown for illustrative purposes only. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.
CO
LL
EG
E
CO
ST
S
fin
a
n
cia
l
a
id
sa
v
in
g & i
n
v
es
ti
n
g
a
ppe
n
d
ix
Co
ll
eg
e m
at
te
r
invest more, pay less
Some savings vehicles, such as 529 plans, allow large contributions that can help you
pay for much of college from your investment earnings instead of your pocket.
Source: College Board, 2013 Trends in College pricing. Based on tuition, fees and room/board costs for 2013–2014 school year. Costs estimated to inflate 5% per year. This example is hypothetical and assumes a 6% annual rate of return and an annual lump sum contribution of $18,085 over a 12-year period. This example does not represent the performance of any particular investment. Different assumptions will result in outcomes different from this example. Your results may be more or less than the figures shown. investment losses could affect the relative tax-deferred investing advantage. Each investor should consider his or her current and anticipated investment horizon and income tax bracket when making an investment decision, as the illustration may not reflect these factors. These figures do not reflect any management fees or expenses that would be paid by a 529 plan participant. Such costs would lower performance.
$200,000
$0
$100,000
$300,000
Average private
college cost
$316,713
Lump-sum
investment
Annual
investments
Out-of-pocket
payment
InvEstmEnt GrOWtH OUt-OF-POCKEt COst
Investing versus paying out of pocket
Amounts needed to fund four years of private college in 12 years
$154,437
$217,019
$316,713
save 32%
on out-of-pocket costssave 51%
on out-of-pocket costs30
|
INHERIT THE THINKING OF J.P. MORGANCO
LL
EG
E
CO
ST
S
fin
a
n
cia
l
a
id
sa
v
in
g & i
n
v
es
ti
n
g
a
ppe
n
d
ix
Co
ll
eg
e m
at
te
r
s
Tax-efficient investing
A tax-advantaged account, such as a 529 plan, has
the potential to grow faster for college than a taxable
investment earning the exact same returns.
$15,477
more
with a tax-free
529 plan
$90,000
$120,000
$60,000
$30,000
$0
Taxable
account
Tax-free
529 plan
Lower taxes equal a larger college fund
investment growth over 18 years
11. Source: j.p. morgan Asset management. illustration assumes an initial $1,000 investment and monthly investments of $300 for 18 years. Chart also assumes an annual investment return of 6% and a federal tax rate of 28%. investment losses could affect the relative tax-deferred investing advantage. This hypothetical illustration is not indicative of any specific investment and does not reflect the impact of fees or expenses. Each investor should consider his or her current and anticipated investment horizon and income tax bracket when making an investment decision, as the illustration may not reflect these factors. These figures do not reflect any management fees or expenses that would be paid by a 529 plan participant. Such costs would lower performance.
The chart is shown for illustrative purposes only. past performance is no guarantee of future results.
2. Earnings on non-qualified withdrawals may be subject to federal income tax and a 10% federal penalty tax, as well as state and local income taxes.
$103,666
$119,143
statE taX BEnEFIts
• many 529 plans offer state tax
benefits in addition to federal
tax-free investing.
2See the
Appendix on page 47 for
more information.
CO
LL
EG
E
CO
ST
S
fin
a
n
cia
l
a
id
sa
v
in
g & i
n
v
es
ti
n
g
a
ppe
n
d
ix
Co
ll
eg
e m
at
te
r
making college savings a family affair
Getting family, friends and students involved in college
savings can increase the size of your account and reduce
your share of the expenses.
taLK tO CHILDrEn
•
Nearly half (47%) of college
savers have
discussed
education costs with
children
, compared to just
28% of non-savers.
1Don’t go it alone
parents expect only
5%
of college
costs to be paid with contributions
from grandparents, friends
and family.
11. Source: Sallie mae, How America Saves for College, 2014.
2. Source: j.p. morgan Asset management. This hypothetical example illustrates the future values of regular monthly investments by the account owner and annual investment by other contributors over an 18-year period. investment losses could affect the relative tax-deferred investing advantage. This hypothetical illustration is not indicative of any specific investment and does not reflect the impact of fees or expenses. Such costs would lower performance. Each investor should consider his or her current and anticipated investment horizon and income tax bracket when making an investment decision, as the illustration may not reflect these factors. A plan of regular investment cannot assure a profit or protect against a loss in a declining market. The chart is shown for illustrative purposes only. past performance is no guarantee of future results.