About Your Guide

“… Ann Garcia is a professional -- a trained assassin in this area, really …”

– Ron Lieber, New York Times Money Columnist & Author of The Price You Pay for College

Who’s Behind How to Pay for College

Like you, I’m a parent. I have twins who are attending their top-choice colleges—one at an elite private school, the other at an out-of-state public school—because they were able to get scholarship packages that made those choices fit our family’s budget. 

I’m also a CFP® and owner of Independent Progressive Advisors, a fee-only Registered Investment Advisor in Portland OR, author of The College Financial Lady blog  (thecollegefinanciallady.com). My blog has approximately 15,000 subscribers in various media (blog, Facebook). In addition, I’m regularly cited in national media (New York Times, US News & World Report) on the subject of college planning. I earned a BA from the University of California, Berkeley, and am a member of Phi Beta Kappa and of NAPFA, the leading association of fee-only financial advisors.  

Early in my career as an advisor, I noticed that clients had so many questions about college—and very few advisors were willing to tackle those questions. Since I kept hearing the same questions again and again (and wanted the answers myself), I started writing down answers in blog format, and The College Financial Lady was born. After seven years, I have developed a wealth of content on this topic through research, interaction with readers, and personal experience. Two years ago, I had an opportunity to put my knowledge to the test when the time came for my own children to apply to college. 

Why did I build this website and the masterclass

As a financial advisor, I see an increasing number of families who are concerned about the cost of college: not just how expensive it has become, but the sense that it’s impossible to plan for college because of the huge range in potential costs and the lack of transparency in the financial aid system. At the same time, I see too many young adults whose student loans are constraining their choices in their lives. 

Planning for college isn’t impossible— and it is important! I’ve made it my goal to share my knowledge on the topic with as many people as possible. This site has a ton of free content. In addition, my book How to Pay for College is coming in the summer of 2022 from Harriman House. While working on the book, I’ve developed the College Financial Plan Masterclass as a way to help more families through this often times anxiety-ridden, overwhelming, and confusing process. 

My goal is to help you plan and finance affordable college educations for your children. So dive in and when you’re ready to take your planning to the next level, sign up for my College Financial Plan Masterclass.