A Guide To Professional Designations in the College Planning Industry

But choosing a professional can feel like an equally daunting and confusing task. There are a lot of people who claim to be experts, many of whom have official sounding designations after their names. There are also a lot of horror stories about parents getting scammed out of hundreds or thousands of dollars by professionals who did not perform as advertised.

Here’s a primer on some of the more credible designations you may want to consider if you’re shopping for help:

• Introduction
• Certified Financal Planner (CFP)
• Certified College Planning Specialist (CCPS)
• Stockbroker or Registered Representative
• Certified Public Accountant (CPA)
• Professional FAFSA Preparer
• Scholarship or Financial Aid Expert
• Other Designations