Planning Tools 

Jump$tart Coalition for Personal Financial Financial Literacy: Jumpstart.com

The Department of Education provides a general overview of methods for financing a college education in Getting Ready for College Early and at Project Easi.

For more information on the new, federal HOPE tax credit and other changes enacted by the tax cut bill recently passed by Congress, call 1-800-USA-LEARN.

There are many Internet sites which deal with the new "Education IRA." Visit Vanguard's site for a good summary of the program.

The U.S. Treasury Department's web site has information on U.S. Savings Bonds. Families should pay particular attention to the information on Series EE Savings Bonds.

Mapping Your Future features information on career planning, choosing a college, and financial aid programs.

The Financial Aid Information Page has a number of calculators which help families estimate their expected family contribution, how much they can afford to borrow, and how much they need to save.

The National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators("NASFAA") has published Cash for College and has several other sources of information available at http://www.nasfaa.org/SubHomes/DoItAffordIt/publiclinks.html.

To learn more about a 529 Plan offered by the State of Iowa check the College Savings Iowa website.

Need a reality check on how to budget your money? Take the test!