Re: US College versus UK University
 

I thought these were similar to the old combined honours degrees, I may be wrong.

Re: US College versus UK University
 

I find your idea interesting. I was thinking of doing the same thing, but financial planners and the State keep stuffing 529 down my throat. From what I have read a roth IRA is much more flexible, you just don't save the tax going in. However I believe the is no tax to pay when you take it out and can be used to buy first house, education and retirement.

Re: US College versus UK University
 

A Roth is still a retirement plan, and you have to be -- I believe -- at least 59-1/2 to be able to withdraw without paying tax.

Re: US College versus UK University
 

You would think from the name. But this is one quote I found on bankrate " The Roth IRA can multitask by working toward retirement and college savings goals."

And then to add to the anxiety about being able to save for kids college, investments in the plans can be volatile.

Re: US College versus UK University
 

The value of a 529 plan depends to a large degree on where you are resident, particularly on the level of state income tax you pay. There are now several providers who provide reasonably flexible plans with low fees, the obvious example being Vanguard, though I believe some states require you to use their approved plans to get the full tax advantages, and some of these approved plans may still have limited choices and higher costs.

We actually have one for each of our kids, even though there is no income tax in Texas. A Roth IRA is not an alternative for us because we are already using that using that for retirement (strictly this is a backdoor Roth, as our income is too high to contribute to a Roth).

That said, the eligibility for financial aid is a concern.

Re: US College versus UK University
 

means tested financial aid is for people who really are poor. I'm talking parents working 2 jobs and the kid with a job. You'll fill out the FAFSA form thinking that it's a complete waste of time for anyone approaching a middle class lifestyle.

However, most colleges use the FAFSA for their own financial assessments and so it can be useful. In our experience, money is given out to bright poor kids first and then to above average clever, richer kids next. The college is still your best bet for any financial help if your kids are clever. If they want your kid then you can most certainly bargain with a couple of colleges over money.

Re: US College versus UK University
 

That's how I felt too - I studied a language and have no regrets about pursuing my degree in the UK having seen the level of fluency achieved when its a major vs a UK style degree. Also, I was quite happy to drop science and maths quite early (after GCSE) - teenage me didn't want to do them at Uni.
But not everyone likes the focused approach - it's just a case of finding what works for the individual student (some friends had no idea what they wanted to do!)