College and Student Loan Planning Essentials

Due to the rising costs of higher education and all-time high student loan debt levels, individuals and families are relying more than ever on advisors to help them navigate the financial complexities associated with saving for and paying for college. This course is designed for advisors and financial professionals who wish to become more knowledgeable in the areas of education funding, financial aid planning, and student loan advising.

The following topics will be covered in the course: education funding, financial aid planning, planning with education tax deductions and credits, student loan advising, practical planning strategies for high-income and high-net-worth individuals, practical planning strategies for business owners, practical planning strategies for divorced couples and blended/modern families, and practical planning strategies for grandparents.  

Developed by the American Institute of Certified College Financial Consultants and powered by the Investments & Wealth Institute, the curriculum combines 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.

PROGRAM MODULES:

• Module 1: Education Funding
  • Projecting College Costs and Required Savings
  • Qualified Tuition Programs (529 Plans)
  • Coverdell Education Savings Accounts (CESA)
  • Traditional and Roth IRAs
  • UTMA/UGMA Accounts
  • Taxable Investment Accounts
• Module 2: Financial Aid Planning
  • Determining Financial Need
  • EFC/SAI Methodologies
  • Public vs Private College Comparison
  • Verification and Award Letter Appeals
• Module 3: Planning with Education Tax Deductions and Credits
  • Education Tax Deductions
  • Education Tax Credits
• Module 4: Student Loan Advising
  • Student Loan Options
  • Student Loan Repayment Plans
  • Student Loan Forgiveness Programs
• Module 5: Practical Planning Strategies for Different Client Groups
  • High-Income and High-Net-Worth Individuals
  • Business Owners
  • Divorced Couples and Blended/Modern Families
  • Grandparents

Chief Learning Officer, Investments & Wealth Institute

Dr. Riskin serves as Chief Learning Officer for the Investments & Wealth Institute and his research and professional expertise focus on advice engagement, education planning, and tax and wealth transfer planning for high-income and high-net-worth individuals. He is also the Managing Member of Riskin Wealth Management, LLC, Founder and Chief Creative Officer at visiWealth, and sits on the Advisory Board for the American Institute of Certified College Financial Consultants (AICCFC). Ross is recognized as a thought leader and expert in the areas of tax planning, college planning, student loan advising, and advice engagement, and he is the author of The Adviser's Guide to Education Planning: 1st and 2nd Editions, which are published by the AICPA. Ross has presented to over 25,000 individuals through webinars, conferences, and in the classroom.

He has been quoted in media outlets such as the Wall Street Journal, CNBC, Yahoo Finance, US News, The New York Times, and Investment News, and has also been published in journals such as the Journal of Wealth Management, Journal of Financial Planning, Journal of Accountancy, Tax Notes, and the Journal of Multistate Taxation and Incentives.