Grandparents play an incredibly meaningful role in supporting their grandchildren’s future, but there are a few common missteps that can unintentionally create financial risk instead of reducing it. As a financial advisor, helping families avoid these pitfalls is just as
We are having the wrong conversation with grandparents. For years, the focus has been on how to invest for a grandchild’s education using 529 plans, custodial accounts, trusts. But here’s the uncomfortable truth: The biggest risk isn’t the investment vehicle.
Financial advisors pride themselves on optimizing outcomes, minimizing tax exposure, maximizing portfolio performance, and aligning financial decisions with long-term goals. Yet when it comes to one of the largest financial decisions a family will ever make, the investment in higher
Why Parents Should Promote their Child’s Career
Visiting Colleges this Spring and Summer? What
High School Internships – The Competitive Advantage
Jumpstart the College & Career Planning Process
It’s Not “What College?” It’s “What Career?”
The CSS Profile is an often-overlooked piece of the financial aid process, but for many families, it can make a big difference in how much college actually costs. Unlike the FAFSA, the CSS Profile helps private and selective colleges award their own scholarship and grant money. Understanding what it is, when to file, and how it works can help families unlock thousands of dollars in aid, and avoid missing key deadlines along the way.
FAFSA opens October 1, and families who delay risk losing thousands in aid. From surprising tax year rules to new eligibility changes, the details can be shocking, and costly if you’re not prepared. Here’s what every parent of a college-bound student must know before filing.
College is one of the biggest investments a family makes, but without a plan, it rarely pays off. Students who go in without direction waste thousands on extra classes, extended timelines, and unnecessary living expenses. The result? More debt, less return, and years of financial stress. Don’t gamble with your child’s future. Make college a smart investment with a clear plan.
As parents of college-bound high school students, you’re likely feeling a mix of excitement and concern about what lies ahead. The college experience is one of the most important and transformative stages in a young person’s life. However, with rising
Over the past year, headlines about colleges like Virginia Tech using AI to review college essays have sparked a mix of curiosity, concern, and confusion. Let’s break this down clearly because this is not just a technology story. It’s a strategy shift
AI is not just creating “AI jobs.” It’s reshaping every sector. Over the next 7–9 years (2033–2035), demand will surge not only for technical AI builders, but for professionals who can apply, regulate, secure, and operationalize AI. Families who understand this now can
For many parents, the PSAT taken in 10th grade feels like a low-stakes practice exam. Schools often describe it that way, and students may treat it as just another test day. But families who understand the college planning process know something different:
Standardized testing in 2026 looks different, but the same questions persist. Should your child take the SAT or the ACT? Which test plays to their strengths, and how will it impact admissions, scholarships, and stress? As a parent, it can
For many parents, the PSAT taken in 10th grade feels like a low-stakes practice exam. Schools often describe it that way, and students may treat it as just another test day. But families who understand the college planning process know something different:
For many families, planning for college begins with a moment of panic. It might happen when a student enters junior year, when the first SAT or ACT test date appears on the calendar, or when conversations about college visits suddenly become
AI is not just creating “AI jobs.” It’s reshaping every sector. Over the next 7–9 years (2033–2035), demand will surge not only for technical AI builders, but for professionals who can apply, regulate, secure, and operationalize AI. Families who understand this now can
As financial advisors and families plan for the next generation, a major shift is on the horizon: the proposed end of the federal Grad PLUS Loan program in 2026 under what lawmakers are calling the “Big Beautiful Bill.” For years, Grad PLUS
As we start the new year, it’s the perfect time for students and families to begin laying the foundation for future success. At Pathfinders College & Career Advisors, we believe that college planning should be rooted in career exploration. It’s
And Why It Starts with the End in Mind For families like Jennifer Thompson who are smart, proactive, and deeply invested in their child’s future, the pressure is real. Grades matter. Test scores matter. Essays matter. But here’s what most
How to Launch with Purpose, Not Panic Junior year isn’t just another lap around the academic track, it’s the launchpad for your student’s future career. But for many families, this season brings more stress than strategy. From fears of picking
At Pathfinders College & Career Advisors, we don’t just help families “plan for college” we help them strategically prepare for life. While many families scramble to figure out college applications late in the game, we start earlier, smarter, and with
