For Immediate Release: Monday 25 September 2000

LOOKING AHEAD -  GETTING YOUR CHILD THROUGH UNIVERSITY FINANCIALLY

As undergraduates begin their first term at university this month, thousands of anxious parents will be wondering how they are going to fund this next stage in their son or daughter’s life. With tuition fees costing anything up to £12,000 (source: NUS), early financial planning and forward thinking have never been more important. And with so many savings options available, it isn’t easy for investors to determine which is the most suitable place for savings to grow.

AUTIF’s ‘Saving for Children’ factsheet explains how, over the longer term, unit trusts and OEICs can help to build up a really useful nest egg. For example, a regular savings plan of £50 a month in the average UK All Companies fund started ten years ago, would have grown to over £12,000.

Anne McMeehan, Director of Communications commented:

"Planning ahead for university is really very important if parents want their children to start their working career without a huge debt hanging over them. Saving in unit trusts or OEICs is an ideal way for parents to put money aside for their child’s education and potentially receive a far superior rate of return over the long term than the average cash deposit account can provide".

Readers can call the Unit Trust Information Service on +44 (0)20 8207 1361 (manned 24 hours a day) for a free copy. The factsheet, along with AUTIF’s range of consumer literature, can also be viewed on the AUTIF website.

For further information please contact:

Anne McMeehan, Director of Communications, AUTIF - +44 (0)20 7831 0898
Clare Arber, PR Manager, AUTIF - +44 (0)20 7831 0898