New Self-Study Course Through FPA Helps Financial Planners Provide College Funding Advice

DENVER, Colorado, March 12 -- The Financial Planning Association issued the following news release:

In partnership with Capstone College Partners(TM), the Financial Planning Association(R) (FPA(R)) launched The Financial Planner's Guide to College Funding Advice, an eight-module, self-study online course that helps financial planners advise college-bound families on how to pay for college as well as build a college planning niche in their practice.

A new program that is part of the FPA Professional Development Learning Center, this comprehensive guide explains the scope and extent of the student loan crisis, demystifies financial aid, provides a repeatable end-to-end process, uncovers tax strategies for college-bound families, and more. Following a step-by-step College Pre-Approval(TM) process, the course covers a variety of college funding strategies including:

Introducing the College Pre-Approval(TM) Process, Part A & B: Provides an overview of why the cost of college continues to rise, the basics of financial aid policy, and an introduction to the College Pre-Approval(TM) process to guide families toward better college outcomes and help students avoid taking on unnecessary and inappropriate student loans.

Demystifying Financial Aid, Scholarships and Admissions, Part A & B: Educates planners how to properly plan 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 by the FAFSA as well as the CSS Profile.

College Lending Strategies and Special Circumstances, Part A & B: Provides a comprehensive review of different types of student loans available for undergraduate, graduate, and professional degree programs. It includes a discussion of loan-repayment options and loan-forgiveness programs, including options for military veterans and other populations.

Scholarships, Financial Aid Awards and Choosing the Right School: Describes the process and strategy around the College Pre-Approval(TM) process, identifying the component steps of the client journey in college funding from setting a budget and determining a maximum student loan amount, to reviewing and appealing financial aid offers, and coordinating specific payments to the institution.

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

Practical Applications of College Funding Concepts: Describes how to implement the concepts taught in the Financial Planner's Guide to College Funding, providing real-case scenarios that identify how to strategically manage assets, cash flow, and tax opportunities to maximize financial aid and/or students' College Pre-Approval(TM) amount.

Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2018 Update: Provides an update on the topics taught in the Financial Planner's Guide to College Funding in terms of how it is impacted by the new tax laws passed in 2018, including a close assessment of how new regulation impacts the tax-saving strategies and tactics.

5 Keys to Serving Gen X Clients with College Planning: Shows planners how they can effectively serve college-bound families with more impactful and meaningful late-stage college funding advice.

"College education can be one of the most important investments a family can make," says FPA Executive Director/CEO Lauren M. Schadle, CAE. "FPA's partnership with Capstone College Partners(TM) 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 FPA Professional Development Learning Center is a source for 21st century CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER(TM) professionals to access relevant and impactful learning opportunities necessary for continuous growth and advancement through all career stages. Live webinars, self-study programs and on-demand content is designed and delivered by top experts covering a spectrum of topics including investment planning, ethics, retirement planning, estate planning, tax planning, education planning, practice management, career development and insurance.

"Our mission is to end the student loan crisis one family at a time," says Capstone College Partners(TM) Founder and CEO Joe Messinger, CFP(R), ChFC(R), CLU(R). "This partnership with FPA is a tremendous opportunity to empower more financial planners with our College Pre-Approval(TM) process and raise the bar in college funding advice across the country."

CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER(TM) professionals can earn up to 11 CFP(R) CE credits for completion of The Financial Planner's Guide to College Funding Advice. Financial planners who are interested in accessing the online program can go here. Journalists interested in learning more about the course can contact Ryanne Harrah at [email protected].