My Mission

To empower college-bound families.

To empower college-bound families.

Ensuring the pursuit of an education that strengthens, rather than undermines, their financial stability. Together, we can navigate this journey, making smart choices that bring the dream of college within reach without sacrificing your financial well-being.

About Me

My Mission is to Empower Your Life

My Mission is to Empower Your Life

Transform your life and achieve your goals with professional and personalized support.

Fast facts about me…

My Journey

A little more about my journey…

My journey from the heart of Michigan’s classrooms to becoming a beacon in college funding is a story I’m eager to tell you. For over 25 years, not only have I been a teacher; I’ve been a guiding light, steering countless students toward their future dreams with dedication, and a deep sense of purpose.

As a teacher, my role in college planning extended far beyond the classroom and academics. I’ve had the privilege of helping students find and gain admission to their dream colleges. I’ve been a mentor, helping students clarify their career ambitions and decide on majors that align with their passions. I’ve worked alongside them to elevate GPAs and boost SAT and ACT scores. I have crafted hundreds of personalized letters of recommendation as well. This comprehensive support for my students has been crucial, yet I recognized an overarching challenge that could undermine all this hard work: the financial strain of paying for college.

It struck me how families, particularly those in the middle to upper-income brackets, found themselves in a financial paradox. They earned too much to qualify for significant financial aid yet not enough to comfortably afford college without jeopardizing their financial futures. Witnessing families deplete their savings, dive into retirement funds, and borrow excessively opened my eyes to a crisis demanding urgent attention.

Motivated to bridge this gap, I dove into the complexities of college funding. While many college counselors help with preparing for college like I was doing, I wanted to address the “paying for college” problem and become a licensed financial consultant able to provide prudent financial advice that would help families lower the cost of college and pay the tuition bill. So that’s what I did. I joined the Association of Certified College Funding Specialists and earned my certification as a Certified College Funding Specialist (CCFS®). 

Now I can provide college preparation counseling as well as strategic financial planning. I aim to unveil solutions that protect families’ financial futures while enabling students to pursue their dreams. By integrating proven financial strategies, I help families navigate the daunting financial aspects of college planning, safeguarding their savings and retirement in the process.

What sets me apart is not just my expertise in the educational system but my ability to demystify complex financial concepts. Through relatable storytelling and a conversational tone, I make the intricate world of college funding more accessible.

I am more than a teacher or a college funding specialist; I am a visionary, understanding the far-reaching impact of college costs on a family’s wealth and retirement security. In a landscape where higher education is big business, it’s vital to have an expert and advocate by your side. 

I am here to empower families, ensuring the pursuit of education strengthens, rather than undermines, their financial stability. My dedication is rooted in passion, expertise, and an unwavering commitment to making a significant difference in the lives of the families I serve. Together, we can navigate this journey, making smart choices that bring the dream of college within reach without sacrificing your financial well-being.

Let’s talk first to see if it makes sense to work together.

Before you can hire me, it’s important that we have a complimentary discovery call to ensure we’re the right fit for each other. As someone who only works with a select 60 families each school year, I want to make sure that our partnership will be successful and mutually beneficial. This call is your opportunity to see how I can help, and it’s my chance to determine if I’m the right guide for your family’s college journey.

Here’s what to expect during your complimentary consultation:

  • Personalized Needs Assessment:
    We’ll start by discussing your family’s unique situation, focusing on what you’re looking to achieve through college planning. This initial conversation helps us determine if our approach aligns with your needs and goals.

  • Current Financial Overview:
    I’ll review your financial landscape, including your income, assets, and any existing college plans. This allows us to identify how we can best position your family to maximize financial aid and minimize out-of-pocket costs.

  • Opportunities & Risk Discussion:
    Together, we’ll talk through any potential challenges your family might face during the college planning process and identify opportunities to overcome them. This is your chance to ask questions and get a sense of how I can help navigate these complexities.

  • Customized Solutions Exploration:
    Based on our conversation, I’ll outline some initial strategies that could help your family meet its college planning goals. This gives you a preview of the tailored solutions we could develop if we decide to work together.

  • Next Steps & Fit Evaluation:
    Finally, we’ll discuss whether working together is the right move for both of us. If we’re a good fit, I’ll guide you through the next steps to get started. If not, I’ll still ensure you leave with valuable insights and a clear direction for your family’s college planning journey.

  • Personalized Needs Assessment:
    We’ll start by discussing your family’s unique situation, focusing on what you’re looking to achieve through college planning. This initial conversation helps us determine if our approach aligns with your needs and goals.

  • Current Financial Overview:
    I’ll review your financial landscape, including your income, assets, and any existing college plans. This allows us to identify how we can best position your family to maximize financial aid and minimize out-of-pocket costs.

  • Opportunities & Risk Discussion:
    Together, we’ll talk through any potential challenges your family might face during the college planning process and identify opportunities to overcome them. This is your chance to ask questions and get a sense of how I can help navigate these complexities.

  • Customized Solutions Exploration:
    Based on our conversation, I’ll outline some initial strategies that could help your family meet its college planning goals. This gives you a preview of the tailored solutions we could develop if we decide to work together.

  • Next Steps & Fit Evaluation:
    Finally, we’ll discuss whether working together is the right move for both of us. If we’re a good fit, I’ll guide you through the next steps to get started. If not, I’ll still ensure you leave with valuable insights and a clear direction for your family’s college planning journey.

Remember, this call is as much about finding the right partnership as it is about providing you with immediate value. My goal is to work with families who I know I can truly help, and this discovery call is the first step in determining if that’s the case for you.

Testimonials

“With Tracy’s help, our son not only got into his first-choice school but also received a generous scholarship. We are so grateful for her guidance.”

– The Addison Family

Testimonials

“We were overwhelmed by the cost of college, but Tracy’s strategies saved us a significant amount of money. Her support was a true blessing.”

– The Adlawan Family

Testimonials

“Thanks to Tracy, we avoided costly mistakes and found the best financial path for our family. Her advice was worth every penny.”

– The Bodnar Family

Testimonials

“Tracy’s knowledge and dedication were evident from the start. She helped us navigate the maze of financial aid and scholarships with great success.”

– The Monye Family

Testimonials

“Tracy’s support gave us the confidence we needed. She turned what felt like an impossible task into a smooth and successful journey.”

– The De Luca Family

I encourage you to take advantage of some of my FREE tools and resources.

Planning for college can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to navigate it alone. Below are some free tools and resources designed to empower you with the knowledge and strategies you need to make informed decisions about your child’s education. Whether you’re calculating your Student Aid Index, searching for merit scholarships, or getting step-by-step guidance on filling out the FAFSA, these resources are here to help you every step of the way.

Remember, these tools are just the beginning—I encourage you to schedule a discovery call with me to dive deeper into your unique situation and develop a personalized plan that sets your child up for college success.