Invest in your children's future before college costs get ahead of you.
529 plans, financial aid strategies, and scholarship planning. Get matched with a licensed education financial advisor who will build a personalized savings roadmap for your family.
$313K
Projected cost of 4-year private college by 2040
24h
To be matched with a licensed advisor
$0
Cost for your free consultation
Thousands of families built education savings plans through TheSmartMom
CFP-certified advisors only - Free first consultation - No obligations
College costs double every 15 years. The families who start early are the ones who stay ahead.
A four-year private college education that costs $240,000 today is projected to cost over $300,000 by 2040. Without a dedicated savings strategy, families face impossible choices between retirement and education.
A licensed financial advisor creates a plan that funds your children's education without sacrificing your own retirement security.
Every year you wait costs more
College costs increase by 3 to 5% per year. Starting a 529 plan when a child is born versus at age 10 can double the funds available by the time they start college.
529 plans grow tax-free
Money invested in a 529 plan grows federal tax-free and can be withdrawn tax-free for qualified education expenses. Many states also offer a deduction on contributions.
Financial aid planning requires a long runway
FAFSA and financial aid strategies work best when planned years in advance. Asset positioning and income timing can significantly affect your Expected Family Contribution.
Understanding your education savings options
529 College Savings Plans
Tax-advantaged accounts specifically for education expenses. Contributions grow federal tax-free and many states offer additional deductions. Funds can be used at most colleges and universities.
Best for: Families saving for future college expenses at any age
Coverdell Education Savings Accounts
Tax-free savings accounts for K-12 and college expenses. Lower contribution limits ($2,000/year) but more flexible use for elementary and secondary education expenses.
Best for: Families with private K-12 education expenses
UGMA/UTMA Custodial Accounts
Investment accounts held in a child's name. No contribution limits or restrictions on use, but assets are considered the child's property and may affect financial aid more than 529 plans.
Best for: Flexible savings beyond education with investment growth
Our standards
How it works
Three simple steps to a clear education savings strategy for every child.
Share your children's ages and goals
Tell us how many children you have, their ages, and your target education savings goal. Takes about 2 minutes.
Get matched with a licensed advisor
A licensed financial advisor specializing in education planning contacts you for a free strategy consultation.
Build your education savings plan
Your advisor creates a personalized savings roadmap including 529 plans, scholarship strategies, and financial aid optimization.
Families who invested in their children's education
"We started our daughter's 529 when she was 2. Our advisor helped us choose the right plan for our state's deduction and set up automatic contributions. She starts college in 3 years and we are fully funded."
"I had no idea FAFSA strategy even existed. My advisor repositioned some of our assets in ways that significantly improved our Expected Family Contribution. My son received $12,000 more in aid."
"I was paralyzed by all the options. In one 30-minute call, my advisor explained exactly what to do for each of my three kids based on their ages. So much relief."
Testimonials recreated for illustration purposes.
Why families trust TheSmartMom for education planning
We connect you with CFP-certified advisors who specialize in education savings and financial aid strategy.
CFP-certified advisors
Advisors hold the Certified Financial Planner designation and are trained in education savings vehicles, tax implications, and financial aid strategy.
State-specific 529 expertise
529 plan benefits vary significantly by state. Your advisor will identify the plans that maximize your state tax deductions and investment options.
Holistic education planning
Your advisor considers your complete financial picture, including retirement savings, so education planning does not derail your other goals.
Free first consultation
Your initial education planning consultation is completely free. You decide whether to move forward after your first call.
Education planning FAQ
When should I start saving for my child's college education?
The sooner the better. Starting when your child is born gives investments 18 years to grow. A family that contributes $200 per month starting at birth can accumulate over $100,000 by age 18 in a 529 plan assuming average market returns. Even starting at age 10 is significantly better than starting at 15.
What is a 529 plan and how does it work?
A 529 is a state-sponsored tax-advantaged savings plan for education expenses. Contributions are invested in mutual funds and grow federal tax-free. Withdrawals for qualified education expenses (tuition, room and board, books, fees) are also tax-free. Many states offer additional state income tax deductions for contributions. Unused funds can be transferred to another family member.
Does having a 529 plan hurt my child's financial aid?
A 529 plan owned by a parent is counted as a parental asset on the FAFSA, which has a lower impact on aid eligibility than a student-owned asset. Parent-owned 529s reduce financial aid eligibility by a maximum of 5.64% of the account value. Grandparent-owned 529s used to be counted as student income, but recent FAFSA changes have largely eliminated this issue.
What if my child does not go to college?
Funds in a 529 plan can be used for vocational and trade schools, community colleges, apprenticeship programs, and even K-12 private school tuition (up to $10,000 per year). Unused funds can be transferred to a sibling or other family member. Funds can also be rolled over to a Roth IRA (up to $35,000 lifetime limit) under current law.
How much should I save for college each month?
A common target is to save enough to cover one-third of projected college costs, with one-third expected to come from current income and one-third from financial aid and scholarships. For a child born today, saving $300 to $500 per month in a 529 plan should cover most in-state public college costs by age 18. Your advisor will calculate a personalized savings target.
What scholarships should my child apply for?
Scholarship strategies vary by your child's interests, background, and academic profile. Your advisor can refer you to scholarship research tools and recommend strategies for maximizing merit aid from colleges. Starting the search early, maintaining strong grades, and participating in meaningful extracurriculars dramatically increase scholarship opportunities.
Your children's college education should not be a financial crisis. Start planning today.
Share your family details and a licensed education financial advisor will reach out with a personalized savings roadmap. Free consultation, no obligations.
- Free first consultation
- CFP-certified education planning specialists
- 529 plans and financial aid strategy included
- Matched with an advisor within 24 hours
Start my education plan - free
A licensed education advisor will contact you within 24 hours.
Free consultation. No obligations. Your data is never shared without your consent.
TheSmartMom is a lead generation service that connects consumers with licensed financial professionals. We are not a registered investment advisor, broker-dealer, or financial planning firm. Education planning and financial advisory services are provided by licensed financial professionals. By submitting your information, you authorize licensed advisors to contact you regarding education savings and financial planning services. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Investing involves risk, including the potential loss of principal. 529 plan tax benefits vary by state. Consult a tax professional regarding the tax implications of education savings accounts.