Independent, student loan debt 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.

If you're juggling student loan debt while planning your financial future, you need an advisor who understands how this debt affects your overall money picture. Without this focus, it's easy to overlook how loan payments impact your ability to save or invest effectively. Independent advisors here operate without ties to larger firms, which can mean more personalized attention to your unique situation.

  • Loan repayment strategies. Ask how they balance paying down debt versus investing or saving for other goals.
  • Income-driven plan expertise. Confirm they know how to navigate federal repayment options that adjust based on your earnings.
  • Refinancing considerations. Check if they evaluate when refinancing student loans makes sense and when it might hurt your benefits.
  • Integration with broader finances. See how they incorporate your student loans into your overall budget, taxes, and retirement planning.

Here are top matches to get you started. Review each profile to compare experience, credentials, and approach.

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Kevin H

Series 63, Series 65

Chicago, IL

Merrill

Kevin Hanrahan is a financial advisor with Merrill in Chicago, IL, holding Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and bringing 31 years of industry experience. He has been with Bank of America and Merrill since 2009. Merrill, together with its affiliate Managed Account Advisors LLC, provides managed account services to Bank of America fiduciary clients through the Select Portfolio Solutions Program. The firm offers model-based and discretionary investment strategies supported by internal and third-party managers, serving individuals, high-net-worth clients, pension and profit-sharing plans, corporations, and charitable organizations.

Tax-loss harvesting Active portfolio management Wealth management
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Jessica S

Series 65

Aurora, IL

Rezny Wealth Management, Inc.

Jessica Stanley is a financial advisor at Rezny Wealth Management, Inc. in Aurora, IL, holding a Series 65 designation with 13 years of industry experience. She has been with Rezny Wealth Management since 2009. Rezny Wealth Management primarily serves individual investors, including high-net-worth clients, as well as pension and profit-sharing plans, offering discretionary portfolio management and integrated financial planning on a fee-only basis. The firm manages approximately $506 million in client assets, utilizing a Global Tactical Opportunity Portfolios framework that combines quantitative and fundamental analysis across a range of investment styles.

Annuities Active portfolio management General estate planning guidance Retired
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Michael H

Series 63, Series 65

Downers Grove, IL

LPL Financial

Michael Hankes is a financial advisor with LPL Financial, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and over 40 years of industry experience. He has worked at LPL Financial since 2006 and previously spent seven years with UBS Financial Services. Outside of his advisory role, he is a 20% partner in an LLC related to investment activities. LPL Financial is a national broker-dealer and SEC-registered investment adviser serving individuals, retirement plan participants, banks, trust companies, and other institutions. The firm offers a range of advisory and brokerage services, including financial planning, third-party asset management, and institutional platforms, supported by a large network of investment adviser representatives.

Wealth management Retirement income strategy College savings (529s, UTMA, etc.) Tax-loss harvesting Annuities Retired Founder/Business Owner Executive
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Kristine I

Series 63, Series 65

Chicago, IL

Morgan Stanley

Kristine Iverson is a financial advisor at Morgan Stanley with 31 years of industry experience. She holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has been associated with Morgan Stanley and its affiliates since 2007, including roles at Morgan Stanley Private Bank and Morgan Stanley Smith Barney. Morgan Stanley Wealth Management provides a range of advisory programs to individual and institutional clients, offering tailored financial planning supported by firm-approved tools and strategies. The firm manages approximately $2.74 trillion in client assets and delivers services that include estate planning and structured investment approaches.

General estate planning guidance
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Roland S

Series 63, Series 65

Olympia Fields, IL

Valic Financial Advisors

Roland Szilard is a financial advisor with Valic Financial Advisors in Olympia Fields, IL, holding Series 63 and Series 65 credentials and bringing 29 years of industry experience. He has worked at Valic Financial Advisors since 2006 and is also affiliated with Agia since 2022. Outside of his advisory role, Szilard serves as a board member involved in organizing youth soccer training and play activities and acts as a youth soccer referee. Valic Financial Advisors, Inc. serves primarily U.S. individuals, including high net worth clients and employer-sponsored retirement participants, offering portfolio management, financial planning, and discretionary unified managed accounts through a large network of advisors. The firm manages approximately $29.2 billion and utilizes centralized technology and model solutions to support its client base of nearly 300,000 across more than 1,200 advisors.

ESG / Sustainable investing Tax-loss harvesting Retirement income strategy

Stephen B

CFP®

Charlotte, NC

Flat Fee Financial LLC

As a comprehensive financial planning firm we can assist you with your investment management, social security, debt management, budgeting, net-worth tracking, overall organization, tax planning, charitable planning, insurance review, and much more. As a flat fee firm we know the stock market isn't the only solution for your investment problems and love to brainstorm real estate, small business, private credit, and other alternative investment options that lead to the main goal. To improve your financial life and increase your net-worth. If you want a second set of eyes on your investments or financial decisions then feel free to give us a call and we'll talk through if we are a good fit for you. If not, then we will point you in the right direction.

Inherited wealth Student loan debt Dentist Baby Boomers (Born 1946-1964)
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Kade H

CFP®, Series 65

Coralville, IA

Storybook Financial

Kade Hammes is a CFP® and holds a Series 65 license, with nine years of experience in the financial advisory industry. He is the owner and sole advisor at Storybook Financial, an independent firm based in Coralville, IA. Prior to founding Storybook Financial, Hammes worked at CliftonLarsonAllen Wealth Advisors, LLC and was previously dual-registered with Blend Financial, Inc. Storybook Financial serves individuals, young professional families, and small businesses, providing comprehensive financial life planning alongside discretionary portfolio management and project-based planning. The firm’s investment approach emphasizes strategic asset allocation and evidence-based investing, incorporating factor tilts and international diversification through mutual funds, ETFs, and third-party managers.

Cash flow / budgeting Debt management Student loan debt College savings (529s, UTMA, etc.) Young Professionals
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Lindsey C

Series 66

Carlisle, PA

Providers & Families Wealth Management

Lindsey Ciarrocca is a financial advisor at Providers & Families Wealth Management with nine years of industry experience. She holds a Series 66 designation and has worked at firms including Hornor Townsend & Kent Inc and Penn Mutual Life Insurance. Outside of her advisory role, Lindsey operates The Exuberant Elephant as a money coach. Providers & Families Wealth Management serves individuals, families, trusts, estates, businesses, and charitable organizations with financial planning and discretionary investment management. The firm utilizes a strategic asset-allocation approach and combines various analytical methods, offering both subscription-based planning and portfolio management services.

Retirement income strategy Income planning Cash flow / budgeting Student loan debt Tax strategies for small businesses Founder/Business Owner Retired Approaching retirement Married/Couples/Partners
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Eric M

Series 66

Falls Church, VA

POV Wealth LLC

Eric McGinley is the sole advisor at POV Wealth LLC in Falls Church, VA, holding a Series 66 credential with 11 years of industry experience. His work history includes roles at USA Financial Securities, Securities America, and Park Avenue Securities. Outside of advising, he officiates field hockey and lacrosse games and provides college funding and student loan consultation services. POV Wealth LLC offers financial planning and discretionary asset management for individuals, families, trusts, and businesses. The firm emphasizes documented client profiles, periodic portfolio reviews, and diversified investment strategies, along with educational seminars and coordination of held-away and custodial accounts.

Student loan debt College savings (529s, UTMA, etc.) Annuities
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Danielle D

CFP®

Southern Pines, NC

Tactical Wealth Partners

Danielle Dettenmayer is a CFP® professional with four years of industry experience, currently serving as an advisor at Tactical Wealth Partners. Prior to joining Tactical Wealth Partners, she worked at Zeiders Enterprises, Inc. for six years. Tactical Wealth Partners primarily serves high-earning attorneys at large law firms, providing comprehensive financial planning and investment management. The firm employs a diversified, tax-aware investment approach focused on low-cost mutual funds and ETFs, managing assets through a combination of discretionary and non-discretionary arrangements.

Equity compensation tax strategy Cash flow / budgeting Student loan debt General tax planning Attorney HENRY (High Earners, Not Rich Yet) Married/Couples/Partners
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Jared F

Series 65

Huntington Beach, CA

Northwest Asset Management

Jared Fruth is a financial advisor at Northwest Asset Management with four years of industry experience. He holds a Series 65 designation and previously worked at Securities America, Inc., KMS Financial Services, Inc., Oppenheimer Funds, and John Paul Mitchell Systems. Northwest Asset Management is a registered investment adviser managing approximately $3.6 billion for nearly 3,000 clients, including individuals, pension and profit-sharing plans, charities, and corporations. The firm employs a customized, fiduciary approach using Modern Portfolio Theory and strategic asset allocation, combining fundamental and technical analysis to build diversified portfolios with periodic rebalancing.

Retirement income strategy Wealth management Active portfolio management Founder/Business Owner
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Edwina M

Series 65

Cincinnati, OH

Waverly Advisors, LLC

Edwina Martin is a Series 65 licensed financial advisor with two years of industry experience, currently with Waverly Advisors, LLC. She previously worked at 9258 Wealth Management for five years and was employed at Teradata Corp for eleven years. Martin also serves as assistant director of tax planning at 9258 Tax and Planning, a non-investment related business. Waverly Advisors is a multi-team registered investment adviser managing portfolios for individuals, retirement plans, and pooled investment vehicles. The firm combines traditional equity and fixed-income strategies with alternative and private-market allocations, offering a range of investment management and financial planning services.

Private / alternative investments Real estate investing Options & derivatives strategies Tax-loss harvesting Multi-generational wealth transfer Founder/Business Owner Executive
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Craig M

Series 63, Series 65

Columbia, SC

Capital Investment Advisory Services, LLC

Craig Mcdaniel Jr. is a financial advisor with Capital Investment Advisory Services, LLC in Columbia, SC. He holds Series 63 and Series 65 licenses and has 13 years of industry experience. He has been with Capital Investment Group, Inc. and The McDaniel Corporation since 2012. Outside of his advisory role, he is involved in life insurance sales and serves as an independent agent for annuities and related products. Capital Investment Advisory Services, LLC provides investment advisory and supervisory services to individuals, retirement plans, corporations, trusts, estates, and charitable organizations. The firm offers customized investment management through discretionary mandates, third-party managers, and private-label model portfolios, using a blend of analytical methods with ongoing portfolio monitoring.

Active portfolio management Retirement plans for business owners (SEP, solo 401k) Annuities Options & derivatives strategies Founder/Business Owner Retired
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David H

Series 65

Irvine, CA

Martin Wealth Management, LLC

David Hart is a financial advisor with Martin Wealth Management, LLC in Irvine, CA. He holds a Series 65 credential and has 15 years of industry experience. Hart previously worked with Safeguard Investment Advisory Group and LifePro Asset Management. He is also a Certified Financial Fiduciary and volunteers as an instructor with the Foundation for Fiduciary Education, providing unbiased fiduciary financial education to the public. Martin Wealth Management offers investment advisory services primarily to individuals and high-net-worth clients by co-advising and directing accounts to a third-party money manager, Matson Money. The firm focuses on client onboarding, documentation, and ongoing review of third-party manager accounts rather than direct asset management.

Medicare planning Annuities
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Sarah C

CFP®, Series 63, Series 65

Boston, MA

Santander Securities LLC

Sarah Currier Barrella is a CFP® professional with 26 years of experience in financial advisory services. She currently works at Santander Securities LLC and Santander Bank, NA, having previously held positions at TD Bank and Citizens Securities, Inc. Barrella is based in Boston, MA. Santander Securities LLC serves a broad retail client base with approximately $3.14 billion in regulatory assets under management across 10,800 client relationships. The firm offers investment advisory services, portfolio management through wrap-fee programs, and financial planning, operating both as a registered investment adviser and a FINRA-registered broker-dealer.

ESG / Sustainable investing Tax-loss harvesting General retirement planning Income planning Founder/Business Owner
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