Rocky Hill talk slated on saving for college

By: Jake Uitti
   ROCKY HILL — Cathleen Lewis, assistant director of client services at the New Jersey Higher Education Student Assistance Authority, will be speaking on saving for college 8 p.m. Thursday at the First Reformed Church of Rocky Hill.
   The talk is sponsored by The Moms Connection and the church.
   The Moms Connection is a Princeton-area cooperative, nonsectarian group for parents and caregivers and their infants and preschool children.
   The state authority provides students and families with financial aid and informational resources to pursue their education beyond high school.
   "According to the College Board, college tuition costs increased 5 percent annually on average between 1997 and 2000," said Alicia Nayfield, president of The Moms Connection. "Inflation rates during those years have been significantly lower than 4 percent. Given these statistics, it is imperative that parents start saving now for their children."
   Ms. Lewis will address questions ranging from how parents should save, to whether they need to save all the required tuition or if there will be programs to help fund the tuition, to what higher education institutions look at when determining financial aid.
   "It is never too early to start planning," noted the Rev. Bill Schutter of the First Reformed Church.
   Ms. Lewis’ talk is open to the public and there is no fee but space is limited. Those wishing to attend should e-mail Ms. Nayfield at [email protected]. For directions to the church, which recently celebrated its 150th anniversary, visit www.rockyhillchurch.com.
   New mothers can join The Moms Connection playgroup September through May on Wednesdays from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at The First Reformed Church, located on the corner of Washington and Reeve roads in the borough.
   For more information on The Moms Connection, visit www.momsconnection.org.