Financial aid myths and facts INHERIT THE THINKING OF J.P. MORGAN NOT FDIC INSURED, MAY LOSE VALUE, NOT BANK GUARANTEED

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1 Financial aid myths and facts INHERIT THE THINKING OF J.P. MORGAN NOT FDIC INSURED, MAY LOSE VALUE, NOT BANK GUARANTEED

2 How does financial aid work? Financial aid is designed to fill the gap between what college costs and what you are expected to pay based on your family s financial situation. TOTAL COLLEGE COSTS EACH YEAR EXPECTED FAMILY CONTRIBUTION (EFC) FINANCIAL AID NEEDED How is the Expected Family Contribution (EFC) determined? The U.S. government calculates EFC based mostly on a family s current annual income, including the student s. Savings and investments count far less in the formula, especially when held in parents names. CALCULATING EXPECTED FAMILY CONTRIBUTION (EFC) Parents Student Income 22% 47% of adjusted gross income above protected amount plus Assets Up to 5.64% of non-retirement assets above protected amount, including 529 plans, investments and savings Income 50% of income above $6,260 plus Assets 20% of all assets in bank accounts, CDs, UGMAs/UTMAs and any other savings TOTAL EXPECTED FAMILY CONTRIBUTION (EFC) Grandparents/others 0% of income and assets considered in federal financial aid formulas 2 What s the difference between grants, loans and scholarships? Grants are free gifts usually given to families in financial need. Loans must be paid back with interest, whether need-based or not. Scholarships are merit-based gifts for students with special skills or talents, regardless of financial need. ONLY 0.3% OF COLLEGE STUDENTS RECEIVE A FULL RIDE FROM GRANTS AND SCHOLARSHIPS. 3 Based on federal methodology for school year plan assets withdrawn for college by grandparents or others may be considered student income during the following year for federal financial aid purposes. 3 FinAid.org. Based on full-time students at four-year colleges.

3 MYTH FINANCIAL AID IS FREE MONEY It s true that grants are free gifts for college, but less than half (49%) of all financial aid comes in the form of grants. Another 43% comes from federal student loans that must be paid back with interest for as long as 0 years or more after graduation. 2 One way to ease that debt burden then, is to save for college now. The downside of borrowing for college College costs more when you borrow instead of save because you re paying interest rather than earning interest. In addition, the cost of repaying student loans can jeopardize other financial goals and saddle family members with large monthly bills when they can least afford it: Recent graduates still seeking full-time jobs or earning low salaries Parents approaching and entering their retirement years FACT 7% College students graduated with debt averaging $29,400 AVERAGE DEBT AT GRADUATION 3 ESTIMATED LOAN PAYMENTS 3 $29,400 $33,800 $296 monthly $35,520 TOTAL $382 monthly $45,840 TOTAL Student Parents Student Parents Project on Student Debt, The Institute for College Access & Success (TICAS), December 203. Based on graduating class of The College Board, Trends in Student Aid 203. Data are for school year. 3 J.P. Morgan Asset Management. Student loan based on average balance for 202 graduates from Project on Student Debt, The Institute for College Access and Success (TICAS), assuming 3.86% interest rate and 0-year repayment period. Parental debt based on projections from FinAid.org for 20-2 school year, assuming 6.4% interest rate and 0-year repayment period. NEW YORK S 529 ADVISOR-GUIDED COLLEGE SAVINGS PROGRAM

4 MYTH I LL QUALIFY FOR NEED-BASED AID Most people expect free financial aid, but less than half (45%) actually receive need-based grants. The fact is, even middle-class families often earn too much to qualify. The good news: A 529 college savings plan is one of the most tax-efficient ways to invest and pay for college when financial aid doesn t. Grants cover only a fraction of college costs Even if you qualify for need-based grants, it s likely to pay a small percentage of the total costs. To make up the difference, families that haven t saved enough must often decide between taking out expensive loans or choosing more affordable schools. FACT 67% Families rule out colleges because of cost after reviewing their financial aid package AVERAGE GRANT VS. TOTAL COLLEGE COSTS, Four-year public college (total cost: $22,26) Four-year private college (total cost: $43,289) Average grant amount Costs not covered by grants 26% 27% 74% 73% Average grant: $5,696 Remaining cost: $6,565 Average grant: $,786 Remaining cost: $3,503 Sallie Mae, How America Pays for College Sallie Mae, How America Pays for College 203 and the College Board, Trends in College Pricing 202. Total costs include tuition, fees, room and board, books, supplies, transportation and other expenses. Assumes in-state residency for public college.

5 MYTH SAVING WILL HURT MY CHANCES FOR FINANCIAL AID Savings actually count far less than current income when calculating federal financial aid. The government expects a relatively small percentage of assets in 529 plans, investments and other savings to go toward college each year especially when owned by parents or other adults. 529 plans have little impact on financial aid In addition to tax efficiencies, 529 plans offer valuable financial aid advantages over other college savings vehicles. When a 529 account is owned by parents, it has much less impact on federal financial aid eligibility than custodial accounts like UGMAs/UTMAs or studentowned CDs, savings and investments. FACT 5.64% Maximum parental savings considered in federal financial aid formulas BIG DIFFERENCE IN COLLEGE SAVINGS, LITTLE DIFFERENCE IN FINANCIAL AID Compare federal financial aid for two families earning the same income and sending a child to the same college costing $30,000 per year. $,848 $3,77 $8,52 $6,229 Smiths $75,000 saved in 529 plan Wilsons No savings J.P. Morgan Asset Management and FinAid.org. Assumes both families earn $00,000 annually and 529 plan is owned by the parents. Does not include non-federal financial aid opportunities such as scholarships. J.P. MORGAN ASSET MANAGEMENT

6 Get the facts about financial aid It s true that financial aid can help make college more affordable. But it s important to understand the myths about how the system works, what types of aid are available and what it all means to your college savings plans. Look inside for more LEARN MORE ABOUT THE ADVISOR-GUIDED PLAN Consult your financial advisor Visit Call NOT FDIC INSURED, MAY LOSE VALUE, NOT BANK GUARANTEED Before you invest, consider whether your or the beneficiary s home state offers any state tax or other benefits that are only available for investments in that state s qualified tuition program. The Comptroller of the State of New York and the New York State Higher Education Services Corporation are the Program Administrators and are responsible for implementing and administering the Advisor-Guided Plan. Neither the State of New York nor its agencies insures accounts or guarantees the principal deposited therein or any investment returns on any amount or investment portfolio. Ascensus Broker Dealer Services, Inc. and Ascensus Investment Advisors, LLC (formerly Upromise Investments, Inc., and Upromise Investment Advisors, LLC) serve as Program Manager and Recordkeeping and Servicing Agent, respectively, and are responsible for dayto-day operations, including effecting transactions. J.P. Morgan Investment Management Inc. serves as the Investment Manager. J.P. Morgan Asset Management is the marketing name for the asset management businesses of JPMorgan Chase & Co. JPMorgan Distribution Services, Inc. markets and distributes the Advisor-Guided Plan. JPMorgan Distribution Services, Inc. is a member of FINRA/SIPC. New York s 529 College Savings Program includes two separate 529 plans. The Advisor-Guided Plan is sold exclusively through financial advisors who have entered into Advisor-Guided Plan selling agreements with JPMorgan Distribution Services, Inc. You may also participate in the Direct Plan, which is sold directly by the Program and offers lower fees. However, the investment options available under the Advisor-Guided Plan are not available under the Direct Plan. The fees and expenses of the Advisor-Guided Plan include compensation to the financial advisor. Be sure to understand the options available before making an investment decision. For more information about New York s 529 Advisor-Guided College Savings Program, you may contact your financial advisor or obtain an Advisor-Guided Plan Disclosure Booklet and Tuition Savings Agreement at or by calling This document includes investment objectives, risks, charges, expenses, and other information. You should read and consider it carefully before investing. The Program Administrators, the Program Manager and JPMorgan Distribution Services, Inc., and their respective affiliates do not provide legal or tax advice. This information is provided for general educational purposes only. This is not to be considered legal or tax advice. Investors should consult with their legal or tax advisors for personalized assistance, including information regarding any specific state law requirements. July FINAID