Stamford First Bank is hosting a seminar on Thursday, May 26th from 6-7 p.m. at the Bank's 612 Bedford Street offices on "How to Pay for College," presented by financial advisor Charles Wareham of LPL Financial in Hartford.
In his program, Mr. Wareham will discuss how the financial aid system works, what types of assistance are available, and what aid families can reasonably expect to see. He will discuss not only the traditional methods of funding college but also a number of creative ones. He will also cover various tips and pitfalls related to common college savings plans such as 529's, EE bonds, UGMA accounts, and will discuss how the economic meltdown has affected college investments and tuition costs, and what we can do about it going forward.
Mr. Wareham has been a financial advisor since 1992 and is known as one of Southern New England's experts on college funding strategies. He is a dynamic speaker and provides presentations at high schools throughout Connecticut. He also works on an individual basis with families trying to best position themselves to qualify for financial aid.
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"As a community we do a fantastic job of preparing students for college academically" states Wareham. "Now it's time to help them with the hardest part - paying for it."
"Today's reality is that most families are unprepared for what college will actually end up costing. Wareham says "In my experience there is a perception with many parents that they will just rely on student loans to pay for college. But the reality is that student loans are more difficult to come by than most families are prepared for."
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The good news is that there are strategies families can employ to improve their eligibility for assistance, and there are a number of sources families can look to for funds. In the program, he will cover as many of those ideas as he can. Interested parties are asked to RSVP to the event by calling the Bank at (203) 391-5777.
As Stamford's hometown bank, Stamford First Bank is a locally managed commercial bank committed to providing the highest possible level of customer service and added value to the community. Located at 612 Bedford Street, the Bank offers a full range of banking and lending services. For more information, interested parties can visit the bank's website at www.stamfordfirstbank.com.
