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Welcome back to the SYKTC blog! We welcome new readers and invite you to look back at our previous posts to learn more about the college planning process! Today we wanted to take things down to the studs and help WNYers better understand what exactly a certified college planning specialist is, what they do, and how they may be able to help you. You may know that our team helps with SAT and ACT test prep, but outside of the classroom a CCPS does much more than just help study...
What is a Certified College Planning Specialist? (CCPS)
Plain and simple, a Certified College Planning Specialist (CCPS) is a certified financial professional who helps families prepare for the cost of college. These experts will be able to help assess your financial situation and provide guidance on how to navigate the financial waters of college planning.
Individuals who are already working as licensed financial professionals, like Certified Financial Planners, Registered Investment Advisors, and other designations are able to be eligible to be designated as a CCPS.
Advisors who become a CCPS are specialized experts in helping to pay for college. They can help with the necessary paperwork, and offer insight into student loans, college funding issues, tax questions, tuition discounts, insurance strategies, and strategies for managing cash flow to pay for college.
Requirements for CCPS Certification
As a prerequisite, a professional must have a financial license of some sort in order to be designated as a Certified College Planning Specialist. The CCPS certification mark identifies college financial planning professionals who have met the high standards of competency and ethics established and enforced by the National Institute of Certified College Planners (NICCP).
Benefits of Working with a Certified College Planner
If you've read this far, you've gotta see why working with an expert is helpful. If college planning was easy, we wouldn't be here! A CCPS can help you know exactly what colleges and universities are looking for on an application. A CCPS provides a non-biased take on what should or shouldn't be done financially, which can often become difficult for families to navigate. Working with an expert helps you to feel confident in your decision-making, and make sound decisions.
Work with a CCPS Today!
If you have any questions regarding your child's college plan, don't hesitate to reach out! We are more than willing to answer your questions. Just fill out our contact form or give us a call to learn more!