Invest for College

Saving for college is one of the most important financial decisions you'll ever make. Building a plan is the first essential step in reaching your goal.

The benefit of starting early
According to The College Board, college costs for the 2003-2004 school year are a little over $137,000 for four years at a private school and $64,000 at a public school. If that sounds like too much to handle, don't panic.

Setting up a program of systematic long-term investing can be an effective way to accumulate the money you will need to help put your children through college. The sooner you start, the more time you have to benefit from the growth potential offered by an investment portfolio. Of course, a dollar cost averaging program doesn't ensure a profit or protect against a loss.

The good news is you have savings options!

• Coverdell Education Savings Plan - allows you to save for kindergarten through college.
• Connecticut Higher Education Trust(CHET) College Savings Program

How a college education can pay off
A college education is one of the biggest expenses you'll face in your life. It's also one of the most important decisions you'll make. It can pave the way for a more secure future for your children or grandchildren. You may even decide to continue your own education as you move through your career.

The U.S. Census Bureau reports a significant disparity between the incomes of those who graduate from college and those who do not.

How A College Education Pays Off

Level of Education	Mean Annual Earnings
Not a high school graduate	$18,793
High school graduate	$26,795
Bachelor's degree	$50,623
Master's degree	$63,592
Ph.D.	$85,675
Professional (business, law, medicine)	$101,375

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, March 2002.

People's Financial Advisors is a division of People's Securities, Inc. Investments & Insurance are available through People's Securities, Inc. (member FINRA and SIPC), a subsidiary of People's United Bank.