I’ve been trying to write something about Educational Plan or something like Importance of Educational Plan way back I started this blog. But somehow, I couldn’t get to start coz I’m missing some important data that would make this article worth reading. And that important data are current rates / tuition fees in the Philippine Universities and Colleges nowadays.

Coincidence as it may seem, but on May 26, 2008 – Monday, one of the news that caught my eye in the Philippine Daily Inquirer is

‘The cost of college education: Do the math and weep and wonder‘. Maybe because its already enrollment time. This is actually what I need, the current rates of units in the top universities of the Philippines. God must have seen it thru me, eventhough I can’t remember including it in my random prayers before I sleep (wish I could do that more often). Thank God and for that, let me share you my personal insights about these.

Well, you might ask, why would I bother myself of these facts wherein I already finished my college education. I should not worry myself about things that wouldn’t affect me directly. At some point, yes, I really don’t care if tuition fees increase 100% a year or if the inflation rate would triple this year. But then again, these figures will have a direct affect on me in the near future. Its just a matter of time.

As some may know, my wife and I are expecting for our first born this June. That means I’m going to be a father soon (Happy Father’s Day to me, hehe). And also, that means 16 years from now, whether we like it or not, these nightmares of tuition fees will soon haunt us on how are we going to enroll our children. Should we settle for less? I’m sure that any parent would want the best for their children. Its just that most of the time, that’s the only thing they can afford.

Here’s my dillema: Below are the actual Cost per Unit of Top Metro Manila Colleges and Universities for incoming Freshmen (Annual Year 2008-2009)

School Cost per unit Terms Estimated tuition per Year
University of the Asia and the Pacific P2,400.00 2 P124,800.00
De La Salle University 2,045.33 3 110,447.82
Ateneo De Manila University 2,517.03 2 90,613.20
Assumption College 1,533.00 2 84,315.00
Mapua Institute of Technology 1,400.00 4 84,000.00
St. Scholastica’s College 1,564.00 2 75,072.00
San Beda College 1,188.00 2 64,152.00
Miriam College 1,486.00 2 62,412.00
Philippine Women’s University 828.00 3 59,616.00
Far Easter University 1,100.00 2 55,000.00
Colegio de San Juan de Letran 970.00 2 50,440.00
University of the East 1,040.00 2 47,840.00
University of Sto. Tomas 1,072.90 2 45,061.80
St. Paul College of Quezon City 922.00 2 44,256.00
AMA Computer University 780.00 3 42,120.00
Lyceum of the Philippines 900.00 2 37,800.00
Trinity University of Asia 870.00 2 36,540.00
University of the Philippines 1,000.00 2 36,000.00
San Sebastian College 786.00 2 33,012.00
College of the Holy Spirit, Manila 903.91 2 32,540.76

That’s where these figures play an important role in planning. At least we’ll have an idea how much we should save and invest so that when the time comes, (for sure it will) our children’s education is secured. Let’s try to calculate.

For the case of my upcoming baby, that would mean that I’ll have (hopefully), 16 years before he starts college. Year today is 2008, we add 16 years, that would be 2024. If I’d want to enroll him in Ateneo or De La Salle University, I should have at least P130,000.00 (including miscellaneous fees) equivalent in 2024. Taking into consideration that tuition fees increase at a rate of 10% a year, that would give us

P130,000.00
x 10% compounded annually for 16 years
———————
P543,042.26
x 4 years college education
———————-
P2,172,169.05 Total cost of College education

It only means that if I want to give my son a college education in one of the top universities of the Philippines, I would need P2.1M in 2024, so that I won’t be bothered of his tuition fee. Woohh, where am I gonna get that? That’s where proper planning comes in.

Using the same figure, I would need to have an investment that would give me P2.1M in 16 years. You’ll be surprise to know this but I would need to save at least P10,000.00 per month and invest in a vehicle that gives at least 12% per annum (mutual fund) so that in 16 years, I would be able to attain P2.1M allotment for 1 person college education. Imagine if you have 2 children, then start saving at least P20,000.00 a month and invest. Otherwise, train your children to be an athlete to be exempted from the tuition fees.

Writing this made me a little nervous actually. :D Just sharing. How bout you? Comments are welcome!

What are the solutions? You might want to read these

avatar

Garry De Castro

Garry Zaldy de Castro started Financial Planning Philippines in 2008 as a way of sharing his learnings from paid seminars to his friends and relatives. In the same year, he was licensed as a Financial Advisor of Sun Life Financials and as a Certified Investment Solicitor (Mutual Fund Representative) by the Securities and Exchange commission. For FREE CONSULTATIONS on Insurance, Mutual Funds, Stocks or in case you're interested with any financial products of Sun Life, you may reach him thru his Mobile +63 922 897 8077 or Viber +63 916 414 7400 or by email thru garryzaldy.s.decastro@sunlife.com.ph / garrydc@financialplanningph.com.

More Posts - Website

Follow Me:
TwitterFacebookLinkedIn

Comments

comments