Plan Smart.  Save Big on College.

Make your family’s college journey more affordable and less stressful

Your Questions…

There are plenty of financial questions in the college planning process and you need real answers…right now! We can help answer your questions and more.

Our Mission…

College Money Smart is here to empower you with insights, strategies and resources to drive down your family’s college costs and streamline the college planning process so that parents don’t wreck their retirement plans, and students can graduate with greater income and independence.

QUALITY EDUCATION

We're focused on sending your kids to great schools that support their future success and well being.

BIG SAVINGS

Our aim is to save you money and time, while reducing the stress and emotional toll on your family.

SECURE FUTURE

We prioritize maintaining your financial wellness and long term financial security.

Access the College Money Smart Library for premium resources to help you get organized and guide your next steps, whether you’re just starting out or further along on your college planning journey.

Work with us one-on-one to develop your College Funding Plan – we can help you determine the true four-year, out-of-pocket costs for your list of schools, determine what you can afford to pay from your savings and cash flow, and calculate costs and repayment schedules if you decide to use student loans.

College Funding Plan

If you are a family with college bound kids, take control of the college funding process; become a savvier college consumer by getting informed and getting organized – so that you can map out your path to college funding success and a brighter financial future.

Taren Coleman, CRPC®
Founder

Taren Coleman founded College Money Smart to help families save money and time in planning for and paying for college.

With more than 20 years of experience in financial services and with a specialty in Retirement Planning, Taren has been helping people improve their financial lives so they can enjoy their lives. 

In varying roles whether as a relationship manager, financial advisor, speaker, business owner or volunteer, Taren has been educating, advising on and implementing savings, investing and protection strategies that drive long term financial security for individuals and families.

Taren holds the Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CPRC®) designation, maintains a life/health insurance license in Maryland and has previously held the securities industry Series 7 (2001 to 2012.)

Taren’s work experiences include roles at NEA Member Benefits, Coleman Financial Group, The Nasdaq Stock Market and the IBM Corporation.

Taren is also passionate about financial literacy and investor education for young people, and has taught money management and entrepreneurship classes through the Financial Literacy Foundation, Junior Achievement and other organizations.

LESS STRESS AND MORE SUCCESS...

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Paying for College Less Stress More Success Checklist 1