College Planning
Paying for college shouldn’t come at the expense of your financial freedom. Our OnePlan™ Method gives you a clear strategy to fund education while keeping your work-optional lifestyle on track.
The Challenge Families Face
Sending a child to college is one of the biggest financial commitments a family makes. Rising tuition, confusing financial aid rules, and hidden costs leave parents asking:
- “How do we cover college without piling on debt?”
- “Are we risking our freedom by helping our kids?”
- “What strategies could save us money and stress?”
At Mergent Advisors, we believe you shouldn’t have to choose between your child’s education and your long-term freedom.
Our Solution – The OnePlan™ Method
Our OnePlan™ Method integrates college funding into your entire financial picture. With this approach, you can:
- Uncover strategies to reduce the actual cost of college, not just save more.
- Coordinate savings, investments, and cash flow to support freedom and flexibility.
- Navigate FAFSA®, CSS Profile, and financial aid without costly mistakes.ming mistakes
- Make confident choices knowing education planning supports your bigger story of financial freedom.
What You Get
Personalized Financial Coordination
- Full review of college savings, retirement readiness, and tax exposure
- Strategy to maximize aid eligibility and avoid overexposure in the wrong assets
- OnePlan forecast that shows how funding tuition impacts your long-term goals
Tuition Funding Plan
- Smart timing and use of 529s, equity, and cash flow
- Planning around FAFSA, CSS Profile, and merit-based aid
- Debt minimization strategy that protects your broader financial picture
Optional College Counseling Referrals
Need help beyond finances? We connect you with vetted, independent college counselors for admissions strategy, school selection, or academic prep—without pressure or upcharges. You stay in control; we keep everything aligned.
How the OnePlan Method Works
Step 1: Assess & Align™
We map out your current financial life — cash flow, assets, goals, risks — and align your priorities for both college and retirement.
Step 2: Design the OnePlan™
We build one personalized strategy to fund education, grow income, and protect your future — all at once.
Step 3: Implement with Confidence™
We help you put the plan into action — coordinating your accounts, timelines, tax moves, and college strategy.
Step 4: Review & Realign™
We keep your plan updated and effective — adjusting for market shifts, tax law changes, and college costs as they happen.
Real-World Results
- Confidently send kids to college while protecting retirement
- Avoid the “should we borrow from our 401(k)?” dilemma
- Reduce tax surprises and aid eligibility issues
- Get personalized guidance, not generic advice