Savingforcollege.com Survey Results Indicate Self-Reliant Parents

Pittsford, NY, October 23, 2013 --(PR.com)-- Many families facing large future college costs plan to handle the burden mainly on their own, according to a College Savings Month Survey conducted by Savingforcollege.com, the leading independent resource and authority on 529 plans.

When asked who they expect to contribute to their children's college education, 86% of those surveyed responded that they expect to pay for college themselves. A much lower number (17.1%) indicated that they expect grandparents to help pay. Though previous polls have shown that grandparents have a strong desire to help fund the college education of their grandchildren, parents are often reluctant to ask the grandparents for financial assistance.

"Many parents feel that the responsibility for educating their children lies squarely on their own shoulders," said Joseph Hurley, founder of Savingforcollege.com. "However, most grandparents, if asked to join the college savings effort, will respond positively - and may even stand to gain certain tax planning benefits by doing so."

Savingforcollege.com encourages parents to consider all potential sources of funds in saving and paying for college, including grandparents. In addition to providing unbiased 529 plan information to families and financial professionals, Savingforcollege.com offers a grandparent-specific college savings section that includes articles and answers to frequently-asked questions to help grandparents choose the best way to contribute to their grandchild's education.

Survey results are based on 1812 responses, received through October 1, 2013.