By: Poelano Malema
Education, especially tertiary education, can be very costly.
READ: Kaya Biz breaks down the cost of tertiary education
As a parent, saving for your child’s education is one of the best investments you can make.
Not only will it be beneficial for your child, but it will make your financial load lighter when your child goes to college.
With the rising cost of education in South Africa, it is vital that parents save for their children’s education. Especially because one of the top reason students drop out of tertiary institutions is because of a lack of funds.
If parents are not financially prepared, they might need to take out loans to fund their child’s education or expect their child to take out loans. The worst-case scenario is if the student gets rejected for student-aid or a bursary, this might mean the end of their tertiary education.
But with proper planning, this can be avoided.
Jeffery Sibanda, a Financial Advisor based in Gauteng, shares tips on how to save for your child’s education.
Start saving now
The first tip is to start saving as soon as possible. Parents might make the mistake of thinking they still have a long while to go before they need to save for their child’s education, especially when the child is still young. But Sibanda says parents should start saving “before the child is born or worst-case scenario as soon as the child is born. Do not wait till the child is 17 years to start saving for tertiary,” says Sibanda.
He warns that most parents “think about education planning when the child immediately starts school or is a year away from university”. This might lead to them being financially under-prepared.
Use the right saving vehicles
There are different ways to save for your child’s education.
Your options include “tax-free investments, unit trusts and endowments,” among many others says Sibanda. It’s imperative that you speak to a registered and accredited financial advisor to ensure you find the best saving solution for your budget and needs. Different saving methods have different tax implications and charges which might not be suitable for your financial position, and speaking to a financial advisor will help you understand what works for you.
Don’t choose a policy or saving method blindly without doing due diligence.
READ: South Africa is failing the rights of children to education and health
Mistakes to be avoided
Sibanda says parents should stay away from “withdrawing savings meant for education for their personal use.”
He says you should also avoid making too many withdrawals. Instead, withdraw what you need for your child’s year of study and leave the balance to facilitate more growth.
Sibanda adds that parents should do research on the tax implications of various products and ensure they speak to their financial advisor about what they can expect.
DISCLAIMER: The information in this article is of a general nature and intended as a guide only. It is neither to be construed as financial advice nor to be regarded as a definitive analysis of any financial issue. Individuals must not rely on this information to make financial or investment decisions. Before making any decision, we recommend you consult a financial planner or advisor to consider your financial situation, needs and objectives.
