It’s the time of year when families of high school seniors start worrying about their home equity and financial aid.
That’s why I decided to share an email that I got yesterday from a father who was interested in using the services of a CPA who says he could hide his home equity from financial aid formulas. Here is the salient part of his email:
Reader’s Question
Hi Lynn-
I just finished reading your book, The College Solution, which I thought was great, but I have a question that I was hoping you could answer.
On Page 241 you advise that the vast majority of schools don’t factor in Home Equity when determining need and that if an advisor suggests cashing in home equity for insurance or an annuity that I should run….
My situation is that I bought my home 20 years ago in the Northeast and have substantial home equity – it’s my largest investment. An advisor I spoke with who is a fiduciary, CPA & CCPS has suggested to me that I cash in my home equity for a 5-10 year fixed annuity (which has no upfront fees) to make me qualify for need based financial assistance – Additionally, I have found that most of the schools (private) which my son is interested in have told me that they do, indeed, factor in home equity when determining need.
My question is – Do you think I should run? – I believe I have developed a good relationship w/ this advisor, and I really do believe that he is acting in my best interests – Am I missing something?, or would you still advise me to run?
Thanks,
Steve
My Response
Here is what I wrote back to Steve:
Unfortunately, there are some advisers with the CCPS (Certified College Planning Specialist) designation who are focused on selling financial products. Their answer to everything seems to be to raid the home equity and buy expensive life insurance or annuities. Some of the advisers with this designation use the college planning niche simply as a lead generator in hopes of eventually managing the rest of the family’s assets.
Before this CPA told you to hide your home equity, did he determine your Expected Family Contribution?
- If your EFC is high, has he recommended that you look for schools that give merit aid instead?
- Can he tell you what impact home equity has in particular on your EFC number?
- Does he know how each school your son is applying to treat home equity since every institution is different?
- Does he know how to evaluate schools to determine which are generous with need-based versus merit aid?
I bet the answer to all these questions is no. He may really have your best interest at heart, but that doesn’t mean he knows what he is doing beyond always recommending people hide their home equity, which I happen to think is unethical and almost never warranted anyway.
Here’s my advice: I’d run.
Best,
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