These AI Tools Can Help Your Family Save for Soaring College Costs

Rising college costs strain family budgets: The average annual cost for college in the U.S. has reached $38,270, with a four-year degree totaling $162,776.99, presenting a significant financial challenge for most families.

• The Education Data Initiative reports that costs are increasing by 4.11% annually, compounding the financial burden for parents and guardians.
• The average amount saved in a typical family’s 529 plan is only $27,741, falling short of even a single year’s expenses.
• Despite various investment options, 94% of families plan to pay at least a portion of college expenses out-of-pocket.

AI emerges as an unexpected ally: Artificial intelligence offers innovative solutions to help reduce the financial strain of higher education through various applications and tools.

• AI-powered apps can assist with scholarship searches, budgeting, textbook cost savings, part-time job matching, and financial aid optimization.
• These tools leverage machine learning algorithms to provide personalized recommendations and streamline complex processes.

Scholarship search optimization: Scholly, an AI-powered app recently acquired by Sallie Mae, matches students with suitable scholarships based on their academic and personal profiles.

• The app analyzes a student’s academic record, extracurricular activities, and background to find relevant scholarship opportunities.
• Scholly provides personalized application tips and deadline reminders to increase the chances of securing financial aid.

AI-driven budgeting and financial planning: You Need A Budget (YNAB) utilizes artificial intelligence to help families better manage their finances and save for college expenses.

• YNAB analyzes spending patterns and suggests appropriate budget categories for users.
• The app offers goal tracking features specifically tailored for college savings and provides educational resources on financial planning.
• A generous month-long free trial period allows users to test the app’s capabilities before committing.

Textbook cost savings through AI assistants: Amazon’s Alexa can help students find the most cost-effective options for purchasing textbooks.

• Alexa provides real-time pricing information from Amazon and potentially other linked marketplaces.
• Users can set up price alerts for specific textbooks to take advantage of temporary deals or price fluctuations.
• The AI assistant can compare new, used, rental, and digital versions of textbooks to identify the most affordable options.

AI-powered part-time job matching: Handshake, a student-centric app, uses AI to connect students with suitable part-time work opportunities.

• The app analyzes students’ skills, interests, and schedule constraints to match them with relevant on-campus and off-campus jobs.
• Handshake helps students build their resumes with relevant work experience while offsetting college expenses.
• The app also provides tailored interview preparation tips for specific job listings.

Comprehensive financial aid assistance: The Mos app serves as a one-stop resource for optimizing financial aid opportunities.

• Mos uses AI to guide students through complex application processes and identify relevant scholarships.
• The app provides personalized advice based on each student’s unique financial situation.
• Mos also offers a debit card and banking services tailored to students’ needs, using AI to help manage spending and savings goals.

The evolving role of AI in college financing: While artificial intelligence alone cannot fully bridge the gap between average savings and rising education costs, it offers valuable tools for informed decision-making and resource discovery.

• AI-powered applications help families make more informed financial decisions and discover new resources for funding higher education.
• As these technologies continue to evolve, they may further reduce affordability and accessibility barriers to higher learning.
• The combination of early planning, smart budgeting, and leveraging AI tools can significantly improve families’ ability to finance college education.