Student loans
Student-loan specialty covers federal program strategy (PSLF, SAVE, PAYE), forgiveness-vs-refinancing math, residency and fellowship income planning, and the larger decisions that tie into early-career household cash flow. Particularly relevant for physicians, dentists, attorneys, and public-sector professionals.
By the numbers
The Wellspent public graph lists 245 fee-only financial advisors focused on student loans at 170 firms, most in Salt Lake City, Cincinnati and Savoy. 70% hold the CFP certification. Of the 244 with fees on file, 59% charge percentage of assets.
- Advisors listed
- 245
- Firms
- 170
- Cities
- 145
- Hold the CFP
- 70%
- Other credentials: CFA 8% · CPA 4% · EA 5%
- How they charge (of 244 with fees on file): percentage of assets 59% · ongoing planning fee 55% · one-time planning fee 36% · hourly 34%
Source: Wellspent public graph, data as of . Shares are of advisors listed here; an advisor can hold several credentials or fee types. Methodology
Advisors with depth in student loans
| Advisor | Firm | City | Credentials | Fees |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scott Bown | AdviceOnly | Bethel Park | CFP, MBA | Hourly, Flat fee or retainer |
| Timothy LaPean | Thoughtful Financial Planning | Minneapolis | CFP | Percentage of assets, Ongoing planning fee |
| Tricia Kollath | Inspired Financial Planners, LLC | Gulfport | CFP, CPA | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Benjamin Barnhart | Barnhart Wealth Management | Washington | CFP, EA | Percentage of assets, Fixed fees |
| Katie Brewer | Your Richest Life, LLC | Plano | CFP, MBA | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Ryan Graves | Bemiston Asset Management | Webster Groves | CFP, CFA | Percentage of assets, One-time planning fee |
| Alison James | WorthWise Financial Partners, LLC | Houston | CFP | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Erik Kroll | Hilltop Financial Advisors | Wauwatosa | CFP | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Gus Kristoferson | Money on the Mind LLC | Seattle | CFA, CFP | Not listed |
| Mike Cattapan Affordable, objective advice-only planning for individuals and families at any stage of life or level of wealth. | Abundo Wealth | Chicago | Not listed | Subscription |
| Daniel Peters | Prism Planning Partners | Libertyville | CFP | One-time planning fee |
| Joseph Brady | Rock Financial Planning | Arvada | CFP | Ongoing planning fee, Percentage of assets |
| Lazetta Braxton | The Real Wealth Coterie | New Haven | CFP | Ongoing planning fee, Percentage of assets |
| Nicole Sullivan | Prism Planning Partners | Libertyville | CFP | One-time planning fee |
| Ronald Bernstein | Prism Planning Partners | Rancho Mirage | CFP, PFS | One-time planning fee |
| Ryan Fisher | DentVest Wealth Management | Fort Wayne | CFP | Ongoing planning fee |
| Salvatore Paternico | W&S Management Services | Rochester | CFP, ChFC | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Carter Michaelson | illumiFI Wealth | Blaine | CFP | Percentage of assets, Ongoing planning fee |
| George Harris | Bentham Wealth Advisors | Williamsville | CFP | Percentage of assets, Ongoing planning fee |
| Kenneth Butler | Butler Financial Services | Westlake Village | CFP | Flat fee or retainer, One-time planning fee |
| Steven Evensen Gerber Kawasaki is a forward-thinking wealth and investment management firm based in Santa Monica that helps individuals and families build, grow, and protect their wealth through personalized financial planning, investment strategies, and equity-compensation expertise. | Gerber Kawasaki Wealth & Investment Management | Santa Monica | CFP | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Steven Witter | Bentham Wealth Advisors | Williamsville | CFP | Percentage of assets, Ongoing planning fee |
| Bruce Ohrenich | Stillwater Private Wealth | Allenton | CFP | Percentage of assets, Flat fee or retainer |
| Carol Dixon | Your Planning Partner | Palm Beach Gardens | CFP | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Ekenna Anya-Gafu | Pacific Canyon Investments | Scottsdale | CFP | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Matthew Ohrenich | Stillwater Private Wealth | Allenton | CFP | Percentage of assets, Flat fee or retainer |
| Nathan Snow | Accruent Wealth Advisors | Winston-Salem | CFP | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Shane Kelly | Mayport | Newton | CFP, CFA | Flat fee or retainer, Ongoing planning fee |
| Skyler Fleming Approachable planning for people who want to use their money as a tool to reach their goals and live their values. | Abundo Wealth | Salt Lake City | Not listed | Fixed fees |
| Tyler Reeves | Plimsoll Financial Planning | Hoover | CFP | Flat fee or retainer, Ongoing planning fee |
| Andrew Crone | Yahara Wealth Management | Madison | CFP | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Benjamin Dobler | Financial Rounds | Cincinnati | CFP | Ongoing planning fee |
| Christopher Hansen | Financial Rounds | Cincinnati | CFP | Ongoing planning fee |
| Daniel Logan | Beacon Wealthcare | Raleigh | CFP | Percentage of assets |
| Ellen Martin | Beacon Wealthcare | Raleigh | CFP | Percentage of assets |
| Geoffrey Hall | Beacon Wealthcare | Raleigh | CFP | Percentage of assets |
| Jake Elm | Dentist Advisors | Salt Lake City | CFP | Ongoing planning fee |
| James Copper | Skinner Copper & Ehmen | Monroe | CFP | Percentage of assets, Fixed fees |
| Jared Korver | Beacon Wealthcare | Raleigh | CFP | Percentage of assets |
| Leonard Barry | Yahara Wealth Management | Madison | CFP | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Mark Adams | The DBS Companies | Bloomington | CFP | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Matthew Mulcock | Dentist Advisors | Salt Lake City | CFP | Ongoing planning fee |
| Michael Sabatino | Sabadoodle | Princeton | CFP | One-time planning fee, Flat fee or retainer |
| Mohua Das | Crimson Oak Wealth Management | Lexington | CFP | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Reese Harper | Dentist Advisors | Salt Lake City | CFP, ChFC | Ongoing planning fee |
| Robert Hansen | Financial Rounds | Cincinnati | CFP | Ongoing planning fee |
| Robert Maher | Virgil Wealth Advisory | Cincinnati | CFA | Percentage of assets, One-time planning fee |
| Ryan Canfield Helping Millennials simplify their life so they can continue to experience life today, while also saving for the future. | Victus Wealth Management | Enola | Not listed | Percentage of assets, Flat fee or retainer |
| Ryan Smith | Beacon Wealthcare | Raleigh | CFP | Percentage of assets |
| Sean Griffeth | Dentist Advisors | Salt Lake City | CFP | Ongoing planning fee |
Guides
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Pay off student loans or invest: how to decide
Paying extra earns your loan's rate, guaranteed. With federal loans, forgiveness, the new Repayment Assistance Plan and the tax on forgiveness can change the answer. Here's how rates, taxes, risk and liquidity decide it.
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Lower-income and early-career: where to get advice that fits
You don't need a portfolio to get good advice. Free help covers taxes, debt, housing and student loans; a fee-only planner charges a median $300 an hour, and a quarter of one-time plans start at $845 or less.
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Credit counselor vs financial planner: which do you need?
See a credit counselor when debt is the problem: most nonprofit agencies counsel for free and can set up a plan with your creditors. See a financial planner when the question is what to do with your money: fee-only planners charge a median $300 an hour. If you're behind on payments, start with the counselor.
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Buying your first home: the money plan to make before you offer
At late October's average rate of 7.24%, a $400,000 home with 10% down costs about $2,453 a month before taxes and insurance. Plan the payment, the down payment and the cash you keep, then decide if advice is worth $300 an hour.
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Do I have to have $1M to hire an advisor?
No. Of 781 US fee-only firms whose websites state a minimum, 50% say they have none, and hourly, one-time and subscription planners work with people at any asset level.
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Financial advisor for doctors: what real expertise looks like
A good advisor for doctors knows PSLF, disability cover, hospital retirement plans and the late start on saving. Fee-only planners charge a median $4,500 a year, or $2,000 for a one-time plan.