Michael J. Lopata has worked in the Financial Services industry since 1985.  In a career that has evolved through public accounting, commercial lending, and personal financial planning, Through the knowledge gained from working in these fields he found his passion for college planning. He used his knowledge to create the concept of College Plan 101 and Smart College Money which when combined can reduce, not increase, your debt by the time your student graduates. When it is typical to pile up a significant amount of college loans, equity lines bulging at the seams, or maxed out credit cards the Smart College Money process reverses this trend. 

In 2004, Michael earned his  designation as a Certified College Planning Specialist (CCPS).  At that time, there were only approximately 200 planners certified as CCPS in the entire nation.  Michael is also a member of the National Institute of Certified College Planners (NICCP).  In the past several years Michael has been a powerful advocate for parents and their children bound for college.  As a person who looks at each family’s unique needs and qualifications, Michael has gained the reputation as an effective conduit.  He states confidently,  “For every family there is a solution.  I help uncover the best options.”

Through his fee-based consultation service, Michael works with parents so that they can understand the college planning options that most closely align to the needs of their family and the student.  He has also developed a wealth of resource information to assist in finding the right college, getting the best college deal, locating grants and scholarships, and researching other forms of financial aid available.  There are a variety of the "tricks of the trade" that help families lower the cost of college.  Through his consulting and seminars, Michael shows how to leverage their strengths student grades, talents and attributes, as well as their parents’ financial status, to take advantage of as many options as possible.  In addition, Michael leads them through the various steps of college planning and through the admissions process which incorporates a variety of professionals and resources to get the best results.