College & Education Planning

Empowering the Next Generation

Invest in Their Future, Today   

As a parent or grandparent, there are few things more rewarding than seeing the children in your life succeed. We all want the next generation to have opportunities that are even greater than our own. In today’s economy, higher education—whether that is a four-year university, a trade school, or a vocational program—is often the key to unlocking those doors. However, we all know the sticker price of education is climbing at an alarming rate.

Education planning is about more than just picking a school; it is about creating a financial strategy that makes the dream of a degree a reality without burying your child—or yourself—in mountains of debt. I help families in El Paso navigate the complex landscape of college savings, ensuring that when the acceptance letter arrives, the funding is ready to go.

The Power of Starting Early   

When it comes to saving for college, time is your greatest ally. The magic of compound interest means that a dollar saved when your child is a toddler is worth significantly more than a dollar saved when they are a junior in high school. Even modest monthly contributions can grow into a substantial fund over 18 years.

I work with families to set up tax-advantaged savings vehicles, most notably 529 College Savings Plans. These plans are fantastic tools because your money grows tax-free, and withdrawals are tax-free as long as they are used for qualified education expenses. This includes tuition, books, room and board, and even computers. We can discuss how to integrate these contributions into your monthly budget so that saving for college becomes a seamless habit rather than a financial strain.

Flexibility for Every Path   

A common worry parents have is, “What if my child doesn’t go to college?” It is a valid concern. The beauty of modern education planning is flexibility. If your child decides to pursue a trade, attend a vocational school, or even an apprenticeship, many savings plans can be applied to those costs. Furthermore, 529 plans can often be transferred to another sibling or even a first cousin if the original beneficiary chooses a different path.

New regulations even allow for certain unused 529 funds to be rolled over into a Roth IRA for the child, giving them a head start on their retirement if they don’t need the money for school. I will walk you through these rules so you feel confident that your money will not be “trapped” if life plans change.

Balancing Retirement and Tuition   

One of the most critical aspects of education planning is ensuring it does not derail your own retirement. I often remind my clients: you can borrow money for college, but you cannot borrow money for retirement. It is a delicate balance. We need to ensure that your generosity toward your children does not jeopardize your own financial independence later in life.

I help you run the numbers to find the “sweet spot”—an amount you can contribute to education that helps your children significantly but keeps your retirement timeline on track. We also look at the impact of savings on financial aid eligibility. Strategizing where you hold your assets can sometimes affect how much aid a student qualifies for, and we want to position you as favorably as possible.

A Grandparent’s Gift   

Education planning isn’t just for parents. Many of the clients I work with are grandparents who want to leave a living legacy. Contributing to a grandchild’s education is a wonderful way to reduce the size of your taxable estate while making a tangible difference in your family’s future. There are specific strategies for grandparents to contribute without negatively impacting the student’s eligibility for federal financial aid, and I can guide you through the best ways to structure those gifts.

Let’s Build a Bright Future   

Whether you have a newborn at home or a teenager starting high school, it is never too early—or too late—to start planning. We can look at catch-up strategies, discuss scholarship hunting, and evaluate the costs of in-state options like UTEP versus out-of-state universities. My goal is to reduce the anxiety surrounding tuition costs so you can focus on the excitement of your child’s academic journey. Let’s sit down and create a plan that opens doors for the people you love most.