Provident College Student Resources
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Is a college or university education in your future? Best to start thinking about the financial implications now, and plan appropriately. On this page, we provide you with a variety of calculators and other resources to do just that.
If you are just entering college, and perhaps moving out to live on your own, you should also check out our other resources too for articles and tools related to opening and using checking accounts, buying a car, establishing credit, and more.
Calculators
- What Will it Take to Save for a College Education? Determine how much you will be able to save in order to end up with a lump-sum amount to pay the college tuition bill for a child or someone else. The calculator estimates the future cost of tuition based on what you enter for current tuition, expenses, and inflation rate. You can then see how far your current saving strategy will take you towards being able to pay those expenses. Takes into account your expected savings rates and taxes.
- What Is the Value of Higher Education? See how pursuing in higher education may pay off financially during your earning lifetime. Or, if you already have a college degree, see how much furthering your education with an advanced degree may also pay off financially.
- What Investments Can I Use to Save for College? See what your best options are for choosing an investment account to use for college savings. These accounts include tax-advantaged accounts like the Coverdell ESAs (formerly called education IRAs), qualified tuition plans (also known as as Section 529 plans), and custodial accounts.
- What Expenses Do I Face Prior to Attending College? This calculator helps you budget for expenses that are directly related to the cost of getting ready to attend college. Many of these expenses are incurred in the 18 months or so prior to beginning college.
- Should I Live on Campus, Off-Campus, or at Home? Budget and compare costs of different living arrangements for you or a child attending college. Compare the costs of living on campus in a dormitory or other housing, living off-campus, or living at home. Includes considerations of sharing costs with roommates, and cost of commuting from home.
- How Much Should I Budget for College Living Expenses? Determine if a debt consolidation loan is right for you, by seeing how much it will save you in total, while potentially lowering your monthly payments. Includes total interest paid, and the tax savings from possible deductions resulting from a home equity being used for the consolidation loan.
- Is a Meal Plan a Good Deal? Determine the average cost per meal for a meal plan. Many colleges and universities require students that reside on campus to register for a meal plan. Even if you are not required, it may be cheaper to buy a meal plan than to pay cash for your meals. Most sources of financial aid and tax-advantaged college savings plans consider meals a legitimate education-related expense.
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