FPA Course Teaches Advisers to Provide College Funding Advice

The Financial Planning Association (FPA), in partnership with Capstone College Partners, has created The Financial Planner’s Guide to College Funding Advice, an eight module, self-study online course that helps financial planners advise families on how to pay for college.

The new program is part of the FPA Professional Development Learning Center. The guide explains the scope of the student loan crisis, covers financial aid, uncovers tax strategies for college-bound families and more. It covers a variety of college funding strategies, including:

The College Pre-Approval Process: This module explains the basics of financial aid policy, introduces the College Pre-Approval process and helps students avoid taking on unnecessary and inappropriate student loans.

Demystifying Financial Aid, Scholarships and Admissions: This educates planners how to properly plan for and pay college tuition bills and analyze financial aid policies at institutions. It includes detailed education on both the federal and institutional formulas used to determine a family’s expected family contribution.

College Lending Strategies and Special Circumstances: This provides a comprehensive overview of different types of loans available for undergraduate, graduate and professional degree programs. It also covers loan repayment options and loan forgiveness programs, including options for military veterans and other populations.

Scholarships, Financial Aid and Choosing the Right School: This describes the process and strategy around the College Pre-Approval Process and covers college funding from setting a budget, determining a maximum student loan amount and evaluating financial aid.

Tax Strategies and Advanced Options to Cover the Shortfall: This outlines tax strategies that mass-affluent and business-owner clients can implement to increase their college funding and widen the list of schools that students can attend without taking on inappropriate levels of student debt.

Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2018 Update: This covers the new tax laws passed in 2018, including how it impacts tax saving strategies and tactics.

“College education can be one of the most important investments a family can make,” says FPA Executive Director and CEO Lauren Schadle. “FPA’s partnership with Capstone College Partners helps financial planners build their expertise in this area so they can provide families the advice they need to save and plan for the rising costs of higher education.”

The program is available for $599 for FPA members and for $999 for non-members.