Middle School

There are some key things you can do now to help your middle schooler succeed and get ready for higher education.

Higher education is any education beyond high school. This includes trade schools and community colleges, as well as public and private colleges and universities.

Tips for Success

• Discuss the variety of career and pathway options, in terms of types of schools and degrees.
• Encourage your child to work hard for good grades and take challenging courses.
• Help your child to create a study schedule and study space either at school or at home, and to explore requirements at any schools they are considering for higher education.
• When it’s time to choose high school courses, encourage your child to explore advanced placement and early college courses that may allow them to earn college credit while in high school and reduce the overall costs of higher education.

Invest in Your Middle Schooler’s Future

For most families, financial aid doesn’t cover the full cost of education. Having savings available can make a big difference and has little or no impact on financial aid eligibility.

Saving for higher education may help reduce the need to borrow. Students and families who have college savings are in a better position when it comes to paying for college. Remember, every dollar available from savings is a dollar that doesn’t have to be borrowed and repaid later with interest!

Talk to your child about how your family will pay for higher education. Use this online calculator to estimate how much you can save. Consider saving for your child’s higher education with Maine’s 529 education savings plan.

• Help your child succeed by learning about Maine’s 529 education savings plan.
• Once you have a 529 plan add money when you can — even just $5 a month can really help.
• Encourage family and friends to give the gift of education by making contributions to your child’s Maine’s 529 education savings plan.