PRICE OF EDUCATION

How parents can save now for college costs

- BY RACHEL BERESFORD

LEAVING Certificate students have received their results and now wait anxiously for CAO offers, but the pressure isn't just on the students.

For many families, this milestone marks the beginning of a financially challenging chapter. The transition from secondary school to third level can be as expensive as it is exciting, particularly if a student must move away from home.

The reality is that the time to plan for college fees isn't when the CAO results arrive.

Speaking about the importance of forward planning for parents of younger children, Nick Charalambous, Managing Director at Cork-based financial planning firm Alpha Wealth (www.alphawealth.ie), says: "The best day to start was when your child was born; the second best is today.

"Time is the biggest driver of education savings. Start early, use tax reliefs and review annually."

Here, Nick explains the steps parents can take now to make college more affordable.

What Does College Really Cost?

Zurich's Cost of Education research shows that 57% of third-level students live at home, which is unsurprising given current accommodation costs. Parents estimate that it costs €9,293 per year on average to put one child through college.