Top college savings (529s, UTMA, etc.) financial advisors in Bloomington, IL
The right financial advisor for you depends on how you weigh location, expertise, experience, the clients they typically serve, and how they work with you.
Saving for college often starts when you want to lock in education costs before tuition rises or when you receive a financial gift meant for education. Without a clear plan, you might miss out on tax advantages or choose accounts that limit your flexibility.
- Account type guidance. Confirm which savings vehicles they recommend, like 529 plans or UTMA accounts, and why one fits your goals better.
- Tax impact awareness. Illinois has no tax on retirement income, but property taxes can be high; ask how this affects your college savings strategy.
- Withdrawal strategy. Understand how they plan distributions to minimize taxes and maximize aid eligibility.
- Investment approach. Check how they adjust investments as your child nears college age to balance growth and risk.
Here are top matches to get you started. Review each profile to compare experience, credentials, and approach.
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H David O
Series 63, Series 65
Bloomington, IL
Merrill
H David Osnowitz offers expertise in college savings strategies, including 529 plans and UTMA accounts, tailored for clients in Bloomington, IL. With 40 years of experience at Merrill, a large firm, he serves mid-career professionals and HENRY clients, charging a 1.10% AUM fee for managed strategies, and integrates retirement and estate planning into his comprehensive wealth management approach.
Experience: 41 years
Avg account: $860,085
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Patrick V
Series 66
Bloomington, IL
ARK Advisors LLC
Patrick Vance specializes in college savings strategies including 529 plans and UTMA accounts, supported by 18 years of experience and a Series 66 designation. His firm, ARK Advisors LLC, offers flat-fee financial planning and emphasizes personalized investment strategies using fundamental analysis, which may provide a more tailored approach compared to advisors with standard AUM fees or less diversified methods.
Experience: 18 years
Avg account: $536,921
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Emily M
Series 63, Series 65
Bloomington, IL
Interactive Financial Advisors
Emily Martin specializes in college savings plans like 529s and UTMA accounts, supported by 26 years of experience and Series 63 and 65 credentials, making her well-equipped to guide families in Bloomington, IL. Her firm uses asset-allocation models and primarily invests in ETFs and mutual funds, offering flat-fee financial planning and discretionary portfolio management, which may appeal to clients seeking structured, risk-profiled investment strategies.
Experience: 26 years
Avg account: $183,947
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Kathryn K
CFP®, Series 66
Bettendorf, IA
Kraft Financial, LLC
Kathryn Kraft offers expertise in college savings plans like 529s and UTMA accounts, supported by 21 years of experience and CFP® certification, making her well-equipped to guide families in Bloomington, IL. Her firm manages $36 million with a focus on diversified portfolios using ETFs, mutual funds, and structured products, charging a 1.50% annual fee, and serving high-net-worth clients with comprehensive financial planning and discretionary asset management.
Experience: 22 years
Avg account: $1,029,753
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Kyle C
CFP®, Series 66
Bloomington, IL
LPL Financial
Kyle Clemson offers expertise in college savings plans like 529s and UTMA accounts, supported by 12 years of experience and CFP® certification, making him well-equipped to guide families in Bloomington, IL. Affiliated with LPL Financial, a large firm with extensive research resources, he provides flat-fee financial planning and serves a diverse client base, distinguishing him from advisors with narrower focuses or different fee structures.
Experience: 12 years
Avg account: $399,489
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