We help you build a comprehensive plan to fund education expenses while staying on track for your own financial goals—balancing college costs with retirement security and tax efficiency.
As a fee-only fiduciary, we're paid only by our clients, not by product providers. Every education funding decision is made in your best interest, with full transparency.
Our approach evaluates all available savings vehicles, financial aid implications, and tax optimization strategies. We create a customized funding roadmap that considers your timeline, risk tolerance, and overall financial picture—then adjust as circumstances change.
Our education funding strategies include:
529 Plan Selection & Optimization
Financial Aid & FAFSA Planning
Tax Credit & Deduction Maximization
Alternative Funding Strategies (Roth IRAs, Taxable Accounts)
Multi-Child Education Planning
Who this is for
We work with parents — and grandparents — who want a funding roadmap instead of a guess; high-income families weighing 529 plans against Roth IRAs, taxable accounts, and cash-flow funding; families with multiple children and staggered timelines; and divorced or divorcing parents who need to decide — clearly, and in writing — who funds what.
Our process
Define the goal. Public or private, in-state or out, two years or eight — the target drives the plan.
Choose the vehicles. We model 529s, Roth options, and taxable strategies against your tax picture and aid eligibility.
Automate the funding. A monthly plan that fits your cash flow and adjusts as your income changes.
Review annually. Contribution limits, aid rules, and tuition all move; the plan moves with them.
Education funding and divorce
College costs are one of the most commonly under-negotiated items in a settlement. Who owns the 529? Who funds it, and on what schedule? How is aid affected when parents file separately? We help divorcing parents put education funding into the settlement math explicitly — and as Certified Divorce Financial Analysts we model how each option affects both households’ plans.
Frequently asked questions
Is a 529 always the right answer? Usually a strong one, but not always alone. High-income families often blend a 529 with Roth strategies or taxable investing for flexibility if plans change.
Will saving hurt our financial aid? It can affect aid formulas, but the impact is often smaller than families fear — and predictable. We plan account ownership and timing with aid rules in mind.
Can grandparents help without causing problems? Yes — recent FAFSA changes made grandparent-owned 529s significantly more attractive. Coordination is key so gifts don’t collide with your own strategy.
👉 Want to know the smartest way to save for college without derailing retirement?
Click here to request your Complimentary Education Funding Analysis.