Also, when you borrow against your securities, you don't have to write a check every month to pay off the interest. In other words, you don't want to leave your securities hanging for more than a year. Otherwise, you risk losing them should changes in the market send their value down. In this case, instead of borrowing against your investments, you are borrowing against the equity in your home. You apply for this type of loan at a bank, and it doesn't have to be the bank that originally loaned you money to buy your home.
Many lenders offer a six-month introductory rate that is lower.
Most college level-payment plans are inexpensive. It's a good way to finance tuition if you don't want to write a big check twice a year. Just be sure you have the money to make the monthly payments. Some people do this by selling investments monthly or using income from investments. With the level-payment plan you don't have to liquidate all of your investments at one time.