Education Funding

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Help Your Kids Get There Without Derailing Your Own Plan.

The Right Plan Takes Care Of Everyone

College costs keep rising and most families are trying to figure out how to save for their kids while also keeping their own financial plan on track. At Marline, we help families build education savings strategies that are realistic, tax efficient, and built around everything else going on in their financial life.

Starting With the Right Savings Vehicle

For most families the 529 college savings plan is the most effective place to start. It offers tax free growth, tax free withdrawals for qualified education expenses, and in Minnesota residents may be eligible for an additional state tax deduction on contributions. We help families evaluate and set up 529 plans, review the investment options inside the plan, and build a contribution strategy that fits their budget and timeline.

- 529 plan setup and ongoing contribution strategy

- Investment selection inside the plan based on your timeline

- Minnesota state tax deduction guidance

- Review of other savings vehicles including such as Roth IRA options

Prior to investing in a 529 Plan investors should consider whether the investor's or designated beneficiary's home state offers any state tax or other state benefits such as financial aid, scholarship funds, and protection from creditors that are only available for investments in such state's qualified tuition program. Withdrawals used for qualified expenses are federally tax free. Tax treatment at the state level may vary. Please consult with your tax advisor before investing.

How Much to Save and When to Start

Whether your child is a newborn or starting high school next year there is a strategy that makes sense for where you are. We build projections that show what your current savings rate will produce, what your target funding looks like, and how to close any gap without overcommitting at the expense of everything else on your plate.

- Education savings timeline and funding projections

- Savings rate recommendations based on your goals and timeline

- Strategies for families who feel behind and are starting late

- Financial aid awareness and planning considerations

Questions Worth Asking

If you've every asked yourself of these questions, we can help you find your right answers.

- Are we saving enough to actually make a dent in college costs?

- When should we have started saving and is it too late to catch up?

- How do we save for college without falling behind on retirement?

- What happens to the 529 if my child gets a scholarship or does not go to college?

- Are there smarter ways to save than what we are currently doing?

Finding Your Balance

The most important thing to understand about education funding is that your retirement cannot be financed with student loans. We help find that balance, making meaningful progress on education savings without sacrificing the financial future they have been building for themselves.

In most cases there is a way to move forward on both. It just takes a clear plan and someone who helps you prioritize in the right order.

The Best Time to Start Is Now

Every family's situation is different. Whether you are just starting to think about education savings or trying to catch up on lost time, we will help you find a strategy that works for your family without sacrificing your own financial future.

Let's Build a Plan Together