For example, let's say you have $1,000 and want to invest it in a mutual fund with a 5% front-end load.

For example, let's say you have $1,000 and want to invest in a college savings plan with a 5% front-end load.

Funds with front-end loads hit you up for a commission of 3 to 8.5 percent right away.

Be aware that some mutual funds reduce the front-end load as the size of your investment increases.

A front-end load reduces the amount available to purchase fund shares.

Not the same as (and may be in addition to) a front-end load.

Over all, the expenses can quickly cancel any advantage created by not having to pay a front-end load.

Class A shares have front-end loads, meaning that the sales charge is paid at the time of purchase.

Most utilities funds are sold through a broker and carry front-end loads.

In addition, the funds are generally sold by brokers and come with front-end loads, or sales charges, of around 5 percent.