You don’t have to be neck-deep in the college world to know that college planning is complicated. As soon as you start looking at colleges and making calculations, you realize how many details and steps are involved. Even if you have an idea of the process and have already started getting your ducks in a row, it’s important to have someone alongside you who knows the system and can help you navigate through it.
Does this resonate with you or someone you know? If so, you might benefit from the expertise of a guide who can walk you through your plans and ideas so you have the best college planning experience possible.
A Healthy College Plan
Too many people attempt to plan for college alone, but would you do the same with your physical health? Even if you are healthy, you still visit your doctor for an annual check-up. To create a healthy college plan that meets all your expectations and won’t kill your retirement plans, you may need a second opinion.
When we meet with your friend or family member, we’ll take the time to get to know them and become familiar with their unique financial situation. We’ll ask them to outline all their financial goals and review their current plan, accounts, and progress. We believe that their story is key to our planning process. This initial understanding allows us to get on the same page and start customizing a college roadmap to set them on their way towards pursuing their goals.
We’ll also answer any questions they may have about financial aid, saving strategies and vehicles, and how to choose a college. Then, we’ll combine all their concerns, ideas, and dreams with their current plan to see if everything lines up.
The Benefits Of A College Planning Review
Once we see the big picture of their finances and goals, we can work together to evaluate and adjust. If we think they are on the right track and taking the right steps at the right time, we’ll gladly tell them so and send them on their way.
If on the other hand, we think their plan is missing important pieces or no longer fits their goals we’ll explain why without resorting to complicated jargon. And, if they’d like, we’ll recommend some alternatives. It may be that minor adjustments are needed based on their age, age of their children, savings rates, or a change in priorities and plans.
It never hurts to have a professional take a second look at their current college plan to ensure that it is up-to-date, still applicable to all aspects of their life, and is designed to achieve their long-term dreams. And if you know someone who hasn’t started planning for college at all, they would benefit from having someone start them off on the right track so they don’t waste time or money as they get closer to their child’s first day of college. Regardless of the outcome of our second look, I hope they will have full confidence in us, their decisions, and their college plan.
Do You Know Someone Who Needs This?
We’re proud to say that many of our clients are referrals other clients have made. Over the years, we’ve built strong and long-lasting relationships with clients who not only trust us to manage their money and goals but also trust us enough to refer their loved ones to us. We like to serve as more than just an advisor; we also aim to be an objective guide, a shoulder to lean on, a financial teacher, a cheerleader, and professionals who people can rely on for honest advice. The highest compliment you can give us is to let someone else know about your exceptional experience working with College Planning America.
If you know someone who would benefit from some help with their college plan, send them our way and let us help them evaluate where they are now, determine where they would like to go, and address any gaps or inefficiencies that may be apparent. Or, if you think you yourself would gain from a college planning review, email me at dcoen@sageviewadvisory.com or call 800-814-8742.
About Dave
Dave Coen is a Financial Advisor with SageView Advisory and the CEO of College Planning America. Along with his Retirement financial industry experience, he is a College Planning Specialist. He works closely with individuals and families to provide them comprehensive financial planning that addresses all elements of their financial picture. Learn more by connecting with Dave on LinkedIn.
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