At University Financial Strategies our mission is to help families think beyond just saving for college, but helping leverage strategies that leverage your unique situation to help you save on college costs. We take into consideration topics like specialized college-planning strategies for business owners, planning for financial aid, school-specific scholarships, coordinating college planning with grandparents, cash-flow strategies and options for covering shortfalls, to name just a few.
Services
As a father of two daughters, Mark learned how complicated and emotional it is in helping choose and pay for a child's education. Although, he had 25 plus years in Financial Services and a wife who worked in College Admissions, he came to a greater understanding of the impact sending your children has on your overall financial health.
Our client relationships often begin when families realize they don't have a plan in place to pay for college. We help our clients increase affordability by making the most of school selection, financial aid, tax opportunities, and using their own savings and income. It's often hard to think about your own retirement when you're staring down the barrel of four years of tuition and housing expenses.
At University Financial Strategies, we help families become an educated consumer of a college education. We help by putting a plan in place to increase college affordability, and balance education costs with other financial goals. There are 2 different prices for a college education, one for the informed buyer and one for the uninformed.
Have a 401k or 403b and never rebalanced it? According to a study done by Fidelity Investments of their Retirement Plan Participants, 87% of DIY investors have not changed their investment allocation for over a year. 77% of these participants have admitted not having the time or investment knowledge to be confident in their allocation.
We are firm believers in an approach called core satellite, which allows us to build portfolios that have aspects of low-cost, tax-efficient passive strategies while also incorporating more active strategies with an emphasis on risk management. When it comes to investing, it is natural that your emotions can get in the way.
Reviews (6)
Victoria Chetty
Sep 20, 2021
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I scheduled a consultation with Mark after being referred to him as a Dave Ramsey Preferred Coach. Using Dave’s Baby Step approach, we cleared all of our debt (equal to ~70% of our income), fully funded our emergency fund, and began saving 15% for retirement in about 2.5 years, all on a lower-than-average household income. We tithe our first 10%, paid cash for our dream car, and completely cash flow both our son’s preschool and my husband’s college. Next week we’ll be going abroad for a weeklong paid-for vacation. I share this as a testament to how incredibly valuable the work of financial
Brad C.
Aug 21, 2021
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Mark has been very helpful in introducing us to and teaching us about investing and helping us manage out accounts. Has always responded quickly to questions and gives thorough answers and is very patient. Will also be very helpful in our future college planning. Would recommend him to anyone who needs help with investing and financial planning.
Laura Waniata
Jan 17, 2020
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Michael Crowley
Jan 04, 2020
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Michael Travis
Jul 23, 2019
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Michael Miller
Jul 26, 2018
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Choosing a fee only financial planner is a huge plus because you know what you are paying up front unlike other financial planners who hide fees in the fine print. Mark is also very knowledgeable on choosing the best option for college funding which can save a ton by avoiding high interest college loans.
