Don Croghan, CPA

College costs have been rising much faster than the cost of living with no end in sight.

• The average cost of a four-year private university is now $140,000.
• The average cost of a four-year public university is $70,000.
• It is estimated these costs will grow to $280,000 and $150,000 in 15 years!

If you think creating a plan to finance your child’s college education means saving money in an investment account and taking out loans to fund the difference, then you will be paying more, thousands of dollars more for your child’s education.

Do you feel planning for your child’s college education is an insurmountable task?

Don Croghan not only a CPA, he’s also a Certified College Planning Specialist (CPPS). CPPS is a financial planner first, but one who has received extensive training and continuing education in college financial planning. A CCPS possess the skills and training, the experience and the backing to build a complete and effective financial plan for you and your family.

First, let’s begin with an assurance: It is not too late. Even if your child is already in high school, it is not too late!

Specialized training and experience enables the Certified College Planning Specialist to untangle the mess, focus on the issues pertinent to your specific situation, and identify the questions that you may not even know you have.

If you want to make certain you’re getting the most from your college savings plan, contact Don Croghan. (You know, it is possible to save in such a way that it actually hurts your child’s chances of obtaining the best financial aid package.)

Here are just a few of the ways Don can help in your college planning:

How to “pay-for-college” strategies

• Student resources, grants, scholarships
• College loans
• Alternative loans
• College admission issues

How to “save-for-college” strategies

• Section 529 qualified tuition programs
• Coverdell education savings accounts
• UGMA/UTMA Accounts
• Roth and traditional IRAs
• Tax-efficient mutual funds
• Related financial planning considerations

The use of advanced college funding techniques

• Academic strategies
• Funding college and retirement simultaneously
• Hope and Lifetime Learning credits
• Parent and child tax planning opportunities, implications, and tax capacity
• Coordinating investment contributions and withdrawals
• Parent and grandparent estate planning considerations

Don will consult with the parents and the student either in person or by phone. It is vitally important that the student buy into the college selection and finding process. This “ownership” in the plan helps when issues arise later (whether it’s academic, the roommates, home sickness, or other issues). Don will be your resource through your child’s entire college experience.

So– why wait any longer? Contact the team at Don Croghan, CPA and get started toward the peace of mind that a well-conceived college and retirement planning process can provide.