Unlock New Skills with IWI's College and Student Loan Planning Certificate Program

Denver, CO – December 13, 2022 – The leading professional association for financial professionals, the Investments & Wealth Institute (the Institute), has launched a new online certificate program on college and student loan planning. The curriculum was developed by the American Institute of Certified College Financial Consultants and is now available in partnership with the Institute. This 15-hour program teaches advisors how to navigate the financial complexities of saving and funding a college education. Consisting of five modules, the curriculum covers education funding, financial aid planning, education tax deductions and credits, student loan advising, and practical planning strategies for high-net-worth individuals, business owners, divorced couples, blended/modern families, and grandparents.
 
Due to the rising costs of higher education and all-time high student loan debt volumes, individuals and families rely more than ever on advisors to help them successfully navigate their education planning goals. Unfortunately, only a small percentage of advisors offer or are well-versed enough in the subject matter to offer these valuable services. College and Student Loan Planning Essentials provides a best-in-class learning experience with practical takeaways that can be applied immediately to add value for individuals and families across all income and wealth spectrums.
 
"Planning for higher education continues to be a top financial goal for all families and is right up there with planning for retirement. Whether you are working with families with young children who are focused on saving for college, parents of high-school-aged children who are evaluating and comparing misleading financial aid award letters, recent graduates who need help implementing a student loan repayment strategy to be eligible for future loan forgiveness, or older clients who are looking for tax-efficient ways to help future generations achieve their education goals, this program has something for you. Advisors who complete this program will learn the skills and capabilities needed to become more knowledgeable in the areas of education funding, financial aid planning, and student loan advising," said Ross A. Riskin, DBA, CPA/PFS, CCFC, MS Tax, chief learning officer, Investments & Wealth Institute.
 
By offering these comprehensive education planning services, advisors can provide their clients with incremental value and build deeper relationships with the families they serve. This provides an enormous intergenerational retention strategy for advisors who wish to remain relevant to NextGen clients, including the children and grandchildren of their current clients. Focusing on these types of services is an instrumental way to help keep your practice relevant over the next decade and beyond and can act as longevity insurance for an advisor's practice. 
 
Learn more about the program modules or register for the College and Student Loan Planning Essentials program.