How to Save for Your Child's Education

Raising a child is by no means straightforward, or inexpensive. But among the many challenges parents face, saving for a child’s education can often feel like one of the most daunting things they face.

On one hand, the rising cost of education has left many feeling uncertain. On the other, cost of living increases have made putting away money for any reason tough for many.

But even so, saving for your child and their future education is definitely within reach. So, let’s take a closer look at how to make the process a little easier.

Setting educational goals

Educational goals are like any others. To be attained, they need to be clear. Right up front, it’s important to be clear on what you're saving for. Hoping to send your child to a private school? Looking at alternative options? As a first step, get your ambitions clear. Then, get stuck into looking into the annual costs involved.

Having the exact figure, or range of costs, is very helpful. When it comes to how much private schools cost, for example, thorough research is key. Take the time to hop online or make some phone calls to get a sense of the current rates and forecasted increases. 

Then, for older children, you might want to consider the cost of university as well. Educational expenses have been on the rise recently. This has left many parents wondering how to pay for university fees on top of other living expenses. 

However, understanding the true costs of a degree can bring some much-needed clarity.

Choosing the right savings plan

When it comes to saving for a child’s education, the earlier you start putting money away, the better. 

To start, take a look at the options. These include dedicated education savings accounts, a child trust fund, or even just standard savings accounts. 

However, each option has its pros and cons, so make sure to choose carefully. And if you’re in doubt, check in with a financial professional for a little guidance.

Starting early: The power of compound interest

Time is money, or so the saying goes. And when it comes to meeting those education costs, the earlier you start saving, the better. 

The reason is the longer the time horizon ahead of you, the longer your money has to grow. That may be through compound interest in a savings account. Or it might be through giving a diversified portfolio of stocks enough time to grow in the market.

Even if you can only spare a small amount, don’t lose heart. Starting early gives your savings a chance to grow exponentially over the years. In doubt? Check some financial calculators on the web, which can show you just how much even small monthly savings can grow over five, 10, 15 years or longer.

Maximising tax-advantaged accounts

We’re all on the lookout for ways to make our money stretch that little bit further each month. Finding ways to save on tax can be a big part of this. This is why the UK offers special tax-advantaged accounts for educational expenses.

Designed especially for parents saving toward a child or children’s future studies, these accounts can mean big savings on tax bills. So take some time to look into just how much you might save.

Finding financial aid and scholarships

Remember, even if you’re not able to save enough for your child’s education on your own, there are other options you can consider.

For example, financial aid for many private schools is a very real option. Scholarships are also something it’s worth looking into. Does your child excel at sport, acting, or academics? Applying for a scholarship might be a great way to go. 

Moreover, there's help with school fees for single parents in the UK. If you’re budgeting on your own, it's worth taking a look at what help for single mums or dads you can make use of.

Help with university fees

Beyond primary and secondary school, you might also have how to pay for university on your mind. Costs for higher education have indeed gone up a lot in recent years. 

The good news is that aside from your own savings, there are schemes and financial aid options that can help with university fees if that’s the path your child is able to go down. 

Also, you can take advantage of more than one source of extra funds, if you or your child qualifies. So explore grants, loans, and other resources.

Tracking progress and adjusting savings

As with any kind of savings, you need to stay on top of your progress. Are you able to contribute the same amount each month? Are your savings growing as fast as they need to? Keep an eye on how you’re doing regularly. 

Also, make sure you’re in touch with fees, and how they’re increasing year on year. For example, if you realise that educational costs are headed upward faster than you’d bargained on, try to adjust how much you’re putting away if you can. 

Being proactive can prevent any surprises that might affect your plans.

The importance of budgeting

Good budgeting is a key part of everyday life, whether or not you have children. But it plays a particularly important role if you’re working on saving up for a child's education. 

To budget well, consider both your long-term goals and short-term needs. Of course, saving up for a child’s education will be just one of the many financial priorities you’ve got at any given time. 

Try to find a balance between everything you’re juggling. And when life happens, don’t get too stressed. Ups and downs are normal. Back to school can be a costly time too, so it’s wise to prepare.

Love using tech to help simplify life? The good news is that there are lots of budgeting apps and online tools to make dividing up your income a bit easier. 

Remember, just saving a little extra for your child each month can make a big difference over the long run.

Exploring alternative education options

Many parents aim for private schools for their kids, thanks to these schools’ long histories and generally very good reputations. But a good education doesn’t start and end with a private school.

Indeed, there’s a world of alternative education options out there. And they might be more affordable and just as enriching for your child.

Take a step back to look at everything you can. Particularly if paying high school fees may put you under strain. For example, consider homeschooling options, online schools, and community-led education initiatives. 

For one, schools outside the mainstream usually offer lower fees. This coupled with their flexibility can be especially helpful for many. These schools can also be a great option to explore for those seeking help with school fees for single parents in the UK. 

Engaging your child in the process

As your child grows, they will likely start to become more curious about money. They’ll also be able to understand more about how money and budgeting work. 

Think about how best to teach them about money in a general way. But also look at focusing on the importance of saving.

You can make learning about money, saving and budgeting fun and engaging. A piggy bank is a great place to start for younger children. Then, helping them open their own accounts can be an important step as they get older.

Finally, your child can start to look into part-time jobs or internships when they’re old enough to start some work. 

This can be a great way to have them add a little to their education fund. It’s also a way to get hands-on experience in the real world that can guide their career and study choice.

Getting the right foundation in place

For many parents, just getting a handle on education funding in the UK can seem daunting. From the thought of how much private schools cost or the tuition costs for university, many parents end up feeling anxious and overwhelmed.

However, thinking about the future cost of education and saving up for it doesn’t need to be stressful. So start small and start early, and don’t be afraid to look for help in the form of grants, loans, or scholarships.

And remember, even if you’re only saving for tuition by putting away a little each month, the money adds up over time. Soon, you may find you have a good amount of savings that can open educational doors for your child.

This article was written on 01 December 2023; all information was correct at the time of writing.