So You’re an NICCP Member? Here’s Why Finology Software Is Right for Your Firm
As a CCPS, you help families plan and pay for college. The family that trusted you with the FAFSA will trust you with the loans that follow, if you can show them the numbers. Finology Software gives you those numbers.
Who NICCP members are
The National Institute of Certified College Planners certifies college planning specialists. Members earn the CCPS® (Certified College Planning Specialist) designation, keep it through ongoing certification and an active membership, and get the institute’s education, tools and support for helping families prepare for the cost of college. The NICCP also holds the Education Loan Analyst mark.
From the Student Aid Index to the loan payment
For the same family, the free SAI calculator estimates the 2026-27 Student Aid Index: two parents, a family of four, $120,000 adjusted gross income, comes to an SAI of $19,897, above the $14,790 line where Pell Grant eligibility ends for 2026-27.
When the aid offer leaves a gap and the parent borrows, the next question is the payment. For $60,000 in Parent PLUS:
| $60,000 Parent PLUS at 8.94%, parent earning $75,000 | Monthly payment | Total paid |
|---|---|---|
| Left as Parent PLUS: Standard 10-year (the only plan offered) | $758 | $90,973 |
| Consolidated: ICR | $681 | $98,034 |
| Consolidated: Standard stretched to 30 years | $480 | $172,867 |
Leaving the loans as Parent PLUS offers one plan. Consolidating opens ICR at $681 a month and $98,034 in total, while stretching the consolidation to 30 years lowers the payment but costs $74,833 more. A CCPS who can show this in the same meeting as the SAI becomes the family’s planner for the next decade, not only the next semester.
“When Alex introduced our firm to Finology’s ease of producing alternate model scenarios for our clients, mostly young Attending and Resident Physicians, it was immediately clear that it would be key to engaging them in comprehensive planning agreements. To date every client that has seen the results of Finology’s analysis has also engaged our firm with at least one other service.”
Review on Trustpilot
Hear Alex on student loans
- Podcast: The New Rules of Student Loan Planning, with Alex Bottom and Ryan Galiotto, CFP®, on Rory Henry’s Holistic Guide to Wealth Management (October 2025): parents and retirees carrying education debt, the new repayment rules and borrowing caps.
- Webinar: Navigating the Current Student Loan Landscape, Ryan Galiotto of Etch Financial with Alex Bottom, recorded for Etch University (March 25, 2026).
- Webinar: Turning Student Loan Rule Changes Into Growth, Alex Bottom with Invent’s Eric Varela on scalable student loan planning.
- Conference: the NCAG Annual Virtual Conference, May 12 and 13, 2025, where Alex Bottom spoke to NCAG members.
More coverage is on our press page.
How Finology fits your practice
- Import the federal loan file. The family downloads the MyStudentData file from studentaid.gov; you drop it in, and every loan, balance, rate and payment count is read in seconds.
- Model every plan the borrower can elect. RAP, the new tiered Standard, IBR, PAYE and ICR, with each excluded plan named and the reason given.
- See the whole cost. Monthly payment, total paid, amount forgiven and the estimated tax at forgiveness, side by side.
- Hand the family a report with your firm’s name on it.
- Ask in your own AI. Connect Claude, ChatGPT or GitHub Copilot with your Finology login and ask about a client in plain language; every number comes from the same verified engine.
NICCP member rate
Frequently asked questions
What is the NICCP?
The National Institute of Certified College Planners certifies college planning specialists and owns the CCPS (Certified College Planning Specialist) designation. Members keep the designation through ongoing certification and an active membership.
Is there an NICCP member rate for Finology Software?
Yes. NICCP members pay $74.25 a month, or $66.75 a month billed annually. Ask the NICCP or email info@finology.tech with “NICCP member” to claim it.
Can a CCPS use Finology Software for both the SAI and the loans?
Yes. The free SAI calculator estimates the 2026-27 Student Aid Index, and the advisor app models every federal loan the family takes on, including Parent PLUS.
Does Finology Software handle Parent PLUS consolidation?
Yes. It shows the plans available before and after consolidation, with the monthly payment and total cost of each.
Related: Parent PLUS after July 1, 2026 · SAI calculator · Parent PLUS has a ceiling now
- So You’re in NCAG? Here’s Why Finology Software Is Right for Your Firm
- So You’re a CCFC? Here’s Why Finology Software Is Right for Your Firm
- So You Trained With the Student Loan Help Network? Here’s Why Finology Software Is Right for Your Firm
- Employer Student Loan Repayment Is Now Permanent. Here Is What It Does to a RAP Payment.
Show every client the plan that saves them the most
Every number sourced, every path compared. Model RAP, the new Standard, IBR, PAYE, ICR and PSLF side by side.
