College Planning

Ah, college—where dreams take flight, knowledge expands, and tuition bills rack up. Whether you're planning for you child's future education or trying to figure out how to fund it without selling a kidney, college planning requires strategy, foresight, and a little financial wizardry. That's where we come in. At Pointer Creek Wealth Management, we help families navigate the overwhelming world of college costs, financial aid, and smart savings strategies so you can send your kids to school without wrecking retirement or jeopardizing any potential financial aid.

Why College Planning Matters

Let's be real: college is expensive. And with tuition costs increasing faster than your soaring electric bill, winging it isn't a strategy. If you don't plan ahead, you might find yourself choosing between funding your child's education or retiring 5 years later! Smart college planning can help you:

Save efficiently - Leverage tax-advantaged savings vehicles (like 529 plans, UTMA's and Custodial Roth) so you're not just stuffing cash under the mattress.
Minimize student loan debt - The less debt your kid has at graduation, the better their financial start in life (and the less likely they'll be moving back in with you).
Optimize financial aid opportunities - Colleges don't hand out money to just anyone; knowing how aid formulas work can increase your eligibility for grants and scholarships.
Keep your own financial goals on track - Funding college shouldn't mean sacrificing your financial independence. We'll help you strike the right balance.

What We Do

We take a big-picture approach to college planning, ensuring your strategy aligns with your overall financial goals. Here's how we help:

Choosing the Right Savings Plan - 529 Plans, UTMA's, custodial accounts, tax-free options—there's no shortage. We'll help you pick the best account(s) for your situation.
Financial Aid Positioning - Need -based aid is all about strategy. We'll show you how to legally structure your assets and income to maximize eligibility.
Scholarship & Grant Strategies - Free money is the best kind of money. We help you identify opportunities to reduce out-of-pocket costs.
Student Loan Planning - If borrowing is necessary, we'll guide you on the most cost-effective ways to do it, avoiding traps like high-interest private loans.
Cash Flow Planning - Whether it's using current income, employer tuition benefits, or other creative funding solutions, we'll help you integrate college expenses into your overall plan.
Balancing College & Retirement Goals - You shouldn't have to choose between paying for college and retiring comfortably. We'll make sure your plan supports both.

Thinking Outside of the Box

Yeah, college is great—but have you considered all the angles? We'll walk you through some strategies you might not have thought about, just to keep things interesting. For example, thanks to Secure Act 2.0, you can now roll up to $35,000 tax-free from a 529 plan directly into a Roth IRA for your child. Click here to see just how mind-blowing that tax-free growth could be by the time they retire.

Let's Get Real About College Planning

College Planning isn't just about writing checks—it's about making smart financial decisions that set your child (and yourself) up for long-term success. The earlier you start, the more options you have, and the less stress you'll feel when those tuition bills start rolling in.

Let's make a plan that works for your family, your finances, and your future.

Ready to get started? Call us to schedule a consultation.