By David Cooper, Fund Advisers Europe
Educate Your Children – Invest in Their Future
Every parent wants to give their children the best possible start in life - but the prospect of funding a child's education right through to university can be daunting. However, with careful planning and good advice, you can make your money work for you to educate your children the way you want to.
How do private and state schools compare?
There are no clear-cut answers or conclusions. State schools have their advantages and disadvantages. Private schools offer an alternative. Which works best for you? Some comparisons between state and private schools can be: what is the curriculum, admission standards, accountability, accreditation, graduation rates, cost, discipline and teacher certification.
Choosing a School: Getting Started
Choosing a school is one of the most important decisions you will make for your child. The process can seem difficult, but starting your preparation and planning early can help you make an informed choice. Examine the school’s facilities, security arrangements, pupil welfare programs – everything that is of importance to you and your child.
Expatriates - should you choose an international school or local school for your children?
It is usually worthwhile to enrol your children in an international school, since it would follow the same syllabus as in your home country. If, however, you prefer to immerse your children in the local culture, a local school may be a better choice.
Develop an Education Funding Plan of Action
The sooner you start investing in your child's education, the better.
• The first step is to estimate what the total cost of your child's education is likely to be.
• There are a number of different financial vehicles and financial assets that can help you save for your children’s education.
• Some of your child's education can be paid for through scholarships, financial aid, and student loans. It's possible to save the rest if you start early, contribute regularly, and invest wisely.
• Tuition fees are only part of the expenses. There are also accommodation and living costs, utility costs, travel expenses, books, equipment and lifestyle costs. Those with a 10-year time frame should look at equity-based savings schemes, which historically have managed to produce better returns over longer periods.
• In order to put aside enough money to finance years of school and college education, not only do you need to start early, but you need to invest aggressively.
• Thereafter, you need to readjust and shift your investment as college approaches.
An education financial planner or adviser can help determine your education funding needs by preparing an education funding analysis for your family. An unbiased and objective financial adviser can help you make education decisions based on your children’s education goals and specific investment strategy.
For more information, click here to receive a free copy of our new Funding Children’s Education Investment Guide.
Fund Advisers Europe
Rue de Contamines 35
1206 Geneva
022 347 00 52
www.fundadvisers.eu
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Author Bio
David Cooper is a Director of Fund Advisers Europe, a Financial Services company offering a broad range of Investment and Insurance Services to clients across Europe and Latin America. The majority of David’s early experience was gained by working for Lloyds Bank in the United Kingdom. David now has over 20 years' experience growing wealth management brokerages throughout Europe, the Caribbean and Latin America. The primary objective of his role at Fund Advisers is the creation of growth in Fund Advisers’ Wealth Management & Discretionary Fund Management division. David lives in Geneva with his family.
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