BASKING RIDGE, N.J. — Affinity Federal Credit Union is helping college-bound students and their parents make sense of college finances with the launch of the Affinity Education Resource Center (www.affinityfcu.org/education).

The Web site provides content, calculators, and other features designed to provide members with the information they need to prepare for financing a college education from understanding savings options and financial aid to borrowing for college. In addition, the site provides a link to Garretson Financial, a financial advisory company with which Affinity has partnered to provide information and assistance in financial planning for college.

Research supports the need for planning and saving for college. A 2007 Bankrate/GfK Roper study found that 62% of parents with household incomes less than $50,000 cannot afford college for their children. Among higher-income groups, that number is still 35%.