This is the intensive planning phase and starts in the Junior year of high school.  This is about a year before submitting applications.  This is also known as the college red zone.  There is little time to make mistakes and options may become limited as the application time gets closer.  

The greatest need is in the latter (or final) years of high school.  There may not be enough resources available and college is right around the corner.  On the other hand, there may be money for college and without a proper exit strategy, financial aid may be affected.   This has become our area of specialization and where the Smart College Money process can make a huge difference.

The Smart College Money signature review process provides customized advice, strategies, and processes to exhaust all the options available to families while lowering their overall college expense.  We understand that taxes can take a big bite out of their income and savings so one option we use are education tax incentives, also known as tax scholarships, to help preserve more of what they earn.  It’s important to utilize the IRS guidelines to your benefit to help student’s fund their education.

The Smart College Money process was created to help parents understand and create strategies around the myriad of options to pay for college.  Smart College Money provides the link between the school selection process and funding stage.  The goal is to make the college experience a great one for the student and an affordable one for the parent and/or student.  Through our college consulting services we have found that by using tried and true strategies and a detailed framework you will receive significant benefits.  Throughout the process a variety of options that are explored and tailored to your individual situation.  These areas include (and not limited to) the following:

• Tax Deductible Tuition
• Lifetime Learning Credit
• Hope Credit
• Institutional Aid
• Merit Aid
• Need Based Aid
• Business Owner Incentives
• Grants
• Private Scholarships
• Corporate Scholarships
• FAFSA
• CSS/Profile
• Work Study
• Community Service
• Loan Forgiveness
• Employer Tuition Assistance
• Cash Flow
• Debt Restructuring
• Advanced Placement Classes
• 529 Plans
• Coverdell Education Savings Accounts
• UGMA/UTMA accounts
• Tax Free Interest US Savings Bonds
• Tuition Payment Plan
• Student loan interest deduction
• Penalty Free IRA Withdrawal
• Student Aid Report (SAR)Q
• Qualified Retirement Plans

All of this planning in the latter stages of college planning can put you on the fast track for your success.  For more information go to the Home Page and visit Resources.