Support Their Education in a Way That Fits Your Life
You want to help your grandchildren with college while feeling steady in your own retirement. This guide shows clear, practical ways to do both.
Understand the real choices behind 529 plans and other options
Avoid common missteps that can affect retirement and family dynamics
Give in ways that bring confidence instead of worry
Get Your Free Guide
We respect your privacy and never sell your information.
By downloading this ebook, I agree to Parkwoods Wealth Partners adding me to their mailing list.
Why Education Support Feels So Complicated
Education planning can feel generous and joyful, but also more complicated than expected.
Many grandparents want to help their grandchildren with college. It feels like a natural way to support the next generation. But rising education costs and questions about your own retirement can create real uncertainty.
You might worry about giving too much, or giving in a way that causes confusion later. You might also wonder how to help without creating tension between your adult children and their spouses.
It’s normal to feel this way. The goal isn’t perfection. It’s clarity.
What This Guide Will Help You Do
Supporting a grandchild’s education can feel generous and meaningful, but also uncertain. There are many ways to help – each with its own rules, tradeoffs, and impact on both your retirement and your family. This guide gives you clear footing so you can make choices that feel steady and aligned with your goals.
Understand how the main education tools work – including 529 plans, ESAs, custodial accounts, and direct gifts
See how ownership and timing choices affect financial aid, taxes, and family dynamics
Avoid common missteps that create confusion or put your retirement at risk
Give in ways that support your grandchildren while maintaining clarity and harmony with your adult children
"Parkwoods has taken the worry and second guessing out of managing our nest egg. We feel confident in the choices we’re making for ourselves and our family."
-Patricia J., Parkwoods Client
Testimonials provided by current clients as of the time the testimonials were provided. Clients are not compensated for providing testimonials. The testimonials appearing on this page are not representative of all client opinions of Parkwoods Wealth Partners. Client experiences can vary from the experiences reflected herein. Testimonials should not be viewed as the sole determining factor in obtaining or retaining an adviser’s services, and do not guarantee client satisfaction, success of a particular service or investment, or financial outcome.
Inside Investing in Their Future
A clear, easy-to-use framework to help you support your grandchildren’s future with confidence.
Here’s some of what you’ll find inside:
An explanation of the most common education tools and how each one works
How 529 plan ownership and timing affect financial aid
What to know about custodial accounts and spending flexibility
Tax rules and key considerations that matter for grandparents
Ways to give that align with your values and keep family relationships strong
Is This Guide Right for You?
You may find this guide especially helpful if:
You want to help with college but don’t want to put your retirement at risk
You value family harmony and want to avoid misunderstandings
You’ve saved responsibly but still feel uncertain about the “right” way to give
You prefer clear, straightforward explanations over complicated rules
You want to support your grandchildren while staying aligned with your long-term goals
“I often meet grandparents who want to help with college, but worry about giving in a way that could cause confusion or affect their own security. When we slow down and look at both the financial and family sides of the decision, the path forward becomes clearer and far less stressful.”
-Chris Gardner, CFP®, Founder & Wealth Advisor
"You made money less scary. We felt understood and supported, and it helped us make decisions that fit how we want to live our life."
-Mary Beth L., Parkwoods Client
Testimonials provided by current clients as of the time the testimonials were provided. Clients are not compensated for providing testimonials. The testimonials appearing on this page are not representative of all client opinions of Parkwoods Wealth Partners. Client experiences can vary from the experiences reflected herein. Testimonials should not be viewed as the sole determining factor in obtaining or retaining an adviser’s services, and do not guarantee client satisfaction, success of a particular service or investment, or financial outcome.
Common Questions
Is this guide too technical?
No. It explains each tool in clear, straightforward terms. You don’t need a financial background to understand it.
Do I need a lot saved to make this helpful?
Not at all. Even small, well-timed gifts can make a meaningful difference. The guide focuses on clarity, not wealth level.
Does this work for any state’s 529 plan?
Yes. The guidance applies nationally. While some states offer extra benefits, the key principles are the same everywhere.
What if I’m not sure how much I can afford to give?
That’s normal. The guide helps you understand the tradeoffs so you can support your grandchildren without risking your own financial security.
What happens after I download it?
We'll email you the guide immediately, plus send you a short series of emails laying out calm, clear next steps.
Get Your Free Guide
A simple way to support your grandchildren’s future with confidence.
Get Your Free Guide
We respect your privacy and never sell your information.
By downloading this ebook, I agree to Parkwoods Wealth Partners adding me to their mailing list.
Parkwoods Wealth Partners is an SEC-registered investment adviser. Registration does not imply a certain level of skill or training. For additional information about our services and fees, please review our Form ADV Part 2A and Part 2B Brochure(s), available upon request or by visiting the SEC’s website at www.adviserinfo.sec.gov. There are many different interpretations of investment statistics and many different ideas about how to best use them. Past performance is not indicative of future performance. The information provided is for educational purposes only and does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy or sell securities. There are no warranties, expressed, or implied, as to accuracy, completeness, or results obtained from any information on this presentation. All investments involve risk.
The information throughout this presentation, whether stock quotes, charts, articles, or any other statements regarding market or other financial information, is obtained from sources which we, and our suppliers believe to be reliable, but we do not warrant or guarantee the timeliness or accuracy of this information. Neither our information providers nor we shall be liable for any errors or inaccuracies, regardless of cause, or the lack of timeliness of, or for any delay or interruption in the transmission there of to the user.
Testimonials provided by current clients as of the time the testimonials were provided. Clients are not compensated for providing testimonials. The testimonials appearing on this page are not representative of all client opinions of Parkwoods Wealth Partners. Client experiences can vary from the experiences reflected herein. Testimonials should not be viewed as the sole determining factor in obtaining or retaining an adviser’s services, and do not guarantee client satisfaction, success of a particular service or investment, or financial outcome.
Parkwoods only transacts business in states where it is properly registered or excluded or exempted from registration requirements. It does not provide tax, legal, or accounting advice. The information contained in this presentation does not consider your particular investment objectives, financial situation, or needs, and you should, in considering this material, discuss your individual circumstances with professionals in those areas before making any decisions.