The Guidance You Need

Creating a financial plan that will help you to finance your child's education can seem overwhelming.

• Affinity's Financial Advisors can help you to prepare, and set the stage for successful education, working with you to develop a sound financial plan.
• Learn more about Qualified Tuition Programs & 529 Plans.
• Learn more about Coverdell Education Savings Accounts.
• Savings bonds & zero coupon bonds offer unique savings alternatives.

Saving for the Future

There are plenty of other great ways you can start saving now!

• Savvy Saver Accounts for kids 12 & under help them to learn about money, and offer special incentives for saving.
• Connect Accounts for ages 13-17 broaden their experiences and help to develop the financial management skills they'll need later in life.

Academics & Home

It's early in your child's academic career, but that doesn't mean there aren't things you can do to help them prepare for their future.

• Be involved in your child's education - there's no better time to put them on the right track.
• Encourage success and help them learn to love education.

Focus on the Financial Plan

Now is the time to check in with your advisor to make sure you're on the right track.

• Set up an appointment with an Affinity Financial Advisor to go over your plan.
• Check on your 529 Plan or Coverdell ESA. If you don't have one of these, be sure and talk to your Financial Advisor about what other options are available to you.

Financing Alternatives

With tuition and other expenses looming, it's worth checking out what other options you can pursue.

• See if Affinity's Education Line of Credit might be right for you when the time comes.
• Learn more about Federal Stafford and PLUS loans – they're affordable options that can help make the difference.
• Open a Connect Account to help teach your child about managing their money with no fee savings, checking, and much more.

Academics & Home

In addition to getting serious about financing college, it's also time to get serious about academics and getting in to college.

• Sign up for extracurricular activities. Grades are important, but being a well-rounded student is important, too.
• Register & take the PSAT – it's a good time to take the test as practice for next year.
• Start thinking about individual interests and potential college majors.

For a month-by-month breakdown of things to think about when it comes to college admissions, visit The Princeton Review:

• 9th Grade College Admissions Guide
• 10th Grade College Admissions Guide

Get Your Financial Plan Ready

Bring your plan into focus: now is the time to think carefully about what you'll need and make sure that everything is set.

• Talk to your Affinity Financial Advisor to see how your investments stack up, and get advice on what you can do to make sure that you're ready next year.
• Attend The Princeton Review's "Paying for College" seminar for lots more information.
• Learn more about the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and discuss it's implications with your Financial Advisor. For help in understanding how to complete your FAFSA, consult your accountant or tax advisor.

More Options

There are plenty of other options beyond investments for both parents and students, all of which can make the difference when it comes to financing an education.

• See if Affinity's Education Line of Credit can help you bridge the gap between what you have and what you might need.
• Federal help can make a big difference, so be sure learn more about the types of grants and loans offered, as well as Federal Stafford and PLUS loans offered through Affinity.
• Check out your scholarship options, including Affinity's scholarship programs – early research can give you an edge.
• Affinity's Connect & SAM Accounts are a great way for high school students to get into managing their finances – skills they'll need when they go off to college.
• Don't forget that summer jobs can be a great way for students to not only learn responsibility, but also to contribute!

College Search & Academics

It's time to get serious about college searches and qualifications. The admissions process starts now, and the steps you take can help make the final stages of college prep that much easier.

• Search for the right school based on your unique preferences.
• Understand and check out college rankings to help pinpoint your search.
• Sign up for and take the PSAT in the fall – it's good practice for the SAT/ACT, and you can qualify for a National Merit Scholarship.
• Register for and take the SAT/ACT and subject tests in the spring.
• Consider test prep courses, too, as they can improve your score and thus your prospects. Affinity members qualify for a special discount on courses offered by The Princeton Review.
• In the summertime, take a trip and visit some of the schools you've researched to get a feel for the campus and help narrow your decision.

For a month-by-month breakdown of things to think about when it comes to college admissions, visit the Princeton Review 11th Grade College Admissions Guide.

Bring Your Financial Plan to Life

Everything is leading up to this point. It's application season for your student in the fall, and time to put your plan into action in the spring.

• Set an appointment with your Affinity Financial Advisor to discuss how you'll execute your plan, turning your investments into tuition and other payments.
• Attend The Princeton Review's "Paying for College" seminar in the fall for lots more information.
• Talk to your Financial Advisor about the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and what it means for you. For help in understanding how to complete your FAFSA, consult your accountant or tax advisor.

Bridging the Gap

There are plenty of options to help you maximize financial aid and keep the pressure off when it comes to expenses.

• Get a jump start on scholarship applications – your early research can really pay off! And don't forget about Affinity's scholarship programs, too.
• If your investments won't cover all of your college expenses, now's the time to investigate and even apply for loans to help you make up the difference:
  • Affinity's Education Line of Credit offers a low interest rate and deferred payments.
  • Federal Stafford and PLUS loans are great affordable options.
• Don't forget to look into what aid programs your chosen colleges offer, as well as the various federal grants that are available.
• Affinity's Connect & SAM Accounts are a great way for high school students to get into managing their finances – skills they'll need when they go off to college.

College Applications & More

Senior year means serious business for the college admissions process. There's plenty to do, and knowing what's coming can be a big help.

• Don't forget: grades still count! Stay on top of your courses and assignments.
• Attend The Princeton Review's "Getting into College" seminar in the fall.
• If you haven't made decisions yet on where to apply, look again at your college search options, including college rankings. Now's the time to make some choices!

Getting Around

Having a car on campus can be very helpful for both students and parents. Affinity's Auto Resource Center can steer you in the right direction with helpful advice and great loan programs designed with graduates in mind!
• Sign up for and take the SAT/ACT in the fall. If you haven't considered it already, The Princeton Review has outstanding classroom and online courses available to help you improve your score – all at a discount for Affinity members!
• Talk to your teachers and obtain letters of recommendation.
• Last but not least: Apply! Check application deadlines, complete the necessary forms and, if required, prepare for interviews.

For a month-by-month breakdown of things to think about when it comes to college admissions, visit the Princeton Review 12th Grade College Admissions Guide.

The Plan Lives On

Your financial plan for education expenses doesn't always end with graduation.

• Talk to your Affinity Financial Advisor to make sure that your plan will take you all the way through college and, if necessary, beyond.
• Keep up with your financial aid options:
  • Remember, you'll need to complete a FAFSA each year, so continue to consult with your accountant or tax advisor about completing the form.
  • Check in with your college regularly about the amount of direct aid that they are able to offer.
  • Keep on top of scholarships, grants, and other sources of financial aid.

College Living

Tuition isn't the only expensive aspect of going to college. Thankfully, there are ways that you can help to bridge the gap and make sure that you're able to get through.

• Loans like Affinity's Education Line of Credit can help with more than just tuition – and a low rate with deferred payments helps to remove some of the pressure.
• Federal Stafford and PLUS loans are available to help with expenses, too.
• Affinity's Student Asset Management (SAM) accounts are a great way to stay connected to funds, with no fee savings & checking, ATM/debit cards, Online Banking and an Affinity Visa card.
• Choose from a variety of credit cards with great rates and even better services.

Graduate School

Perhaps you're interested in continuing your education - what then? There are still plenty of financial questions that need answers.

• Talk to an Affinity Financial Advisor to see what you can do to prepare financially for graduate school expenses.
• Talk to an accountant or tax advisor about completing the FAFSA for additional aid.



• Consider what types of loans or other aid might best suit your situation.
• With opinions and advice on everything from choosing the right program to qualifying tests and the application process, The Princeton Review has plenty of information about:
  • Graduate School
  • Law School
  • Business School
  • Medical School