Top college savings (529s, UTMA, etc.) financial advisors in Illinois
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 ease future tuition costs or manage gifts and earnings for a child. Without a clear plan, you might miss out on tax advantages or flexibility that fit your family's needs.
- Account type choices. Understand the differences between 529 plans, UTMA accounts, and others to pick what suits your goals and control preferences.
- Tax implications. Illinois doesn't tax retirement income, but property taxes can be high; ask how this affects your college savings strategy.
- Gift and contribution rules. Clarify how to handle contributions from family members and the impact on financial aid eligibility.
- Investment options. Explore how the advisors select and adjust investments within college savings accounts to balance growth and risk over time.
Here are top matches to get you started. Review each profile to compare experience, credentials, and approach.
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Michael H
Series 63, Series 65
Downers Grove, IL
LPL Financial
Michael Hankes specializes in college savings plans like 529s and UTMA accounts, leveraging over 40 years of experience to help Illinois families navigate tax implications and investment options. Affiliated with LPL Financial, a large firm offering diverse investment solutions and in-house research, he provides flat-fee financial planning, distinguishing him from advisors with hourly fees or smaller firm resources.
Experience: 40 years
Avg account: $399,489
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Shane S
CFP®, ChFC®, Series 63
Oakbrook Terrace, IL
Mutual Of Omaha Investor Services, Inc.
Shane Swanson specializes in college savings plans like 529s and UTMA accounts, leveraging 31 years of experience and CFP® and ChFC® credentials to guide Illinois families through tax implications and investment options. His flat-fee structure and independent status differentiate him from others, while his background as a founder and insurance agent adds depth to his wealth management and business ownership considerations.
Experience: 32 years
Avg account: $4,656
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Thomas W
Series 63, Series 65
Wilmette, IL
Northpoint Advisory LLC
Thomas Wiscomb specializes in college savings strategies including 529 plans and UTMA accounts, leveraging 19 years of experience to help Illinois families navigate tax implications and investment options. His independent firm, Northpoint Advisory LLC, serves high-net-worth clients with a flat-fee structure and employs a core/satellite investment approach that balances principal protection and tax efficiency, distinguishing him from advisors with more traditional asset management models.
Experience: 20 years
Avg account: $5,100,214
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Ross H
CFP®, Series 63, Series 65
Springfield, IL
KEB Wealth Advisors
Ross Hager specializes in college savings strategies including 529 plans and UTMA accounts, supported by 13 years of experience and CFP® certification. Based in Springfield, IL, he works with KEB Wealth Advisors, a firm known for its evidence-based investment approach and service to high-net-worth clients, offering both asset-based and hourly fee options, which may provide flexibility compared to other advisors in the region.
Experience: 14 years
Avg account: $1,878,329
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Sandra H
CFP®
Downers Grove, IL
Capstone Financial Advisors Inc
Sandra Higgins specializes in college savings plans like 529s and UTMA accounts, offering tailored strategies that consider tax implications and investment options to help Illinois families manage future tuition costs. Her firm, Capstone Financial Advisors Inc, serves a diverse clientele including high-net-worth individuals and trusts, providing portfolio management with a focus on asset allocation and tax positioning, and offers flat-fee financial planning services, distinguishing her from advisors with different fee structures or client focuses.
Experience: 2 years
Avg account: $2,675,828
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