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A Financial Plan Built for University Staff
Michigan's major universities, U of M, Michigan State, Grand Valley State, Western Michigan, and others, are among the most reliably PSLF-qualifying employers in the state. University staff with federal student loans may be sitting on significant forgiveness potential they have never verified. Beyond PSLF, the 403(b) options and TIAA investment choices that most universities offer require guidance most HR departments are not equipped to give.
The Financial Challenges University Staff Face
These are not generic financial planning issues. They are specific to your profession, your income structure, and the decisions you are likely facing right now.
Verifying and maximizing PSLF eligibility
Michigan's public and nonprofit universities are PSLF-qualifying employers. Staff members who have been employed full-time and making federal student loan payments on an income-driven plan may already have years of qualifying payments built up. We verify your eligibility, check your payment count, and confirm your loan type and plan enrollment are correct.
Optimizing the university 403(b) plan
University 403(b) plans offer a range of TIAA or Fidelity investment options with varying costs and complexity. Choosing the right funds, determining your contribution amount, and deciding between pre-tax and Roth contributions takes more analysis than HR orientation provides. We review your plan options and build an investment strategy within your specific plan.
Supplemental retirement savings options
Some Michigan universities also offer supplemental 403(b) or 457(b) accounts with separate contribution limits. Using these effectively can meaningfully accelerate retirement savings, especially for staff members who start saving later in their careers.
Planning retirement on a university salary
University staff often earn moderate, stable salaries with strong benefits. A retirement projection built from your actual salary, savings rate, Social Security estimate, and expected expenses gives you a realistic picture of when retirement becomes financially possible.
A financial advisor who makes sure you're actually building the life you want.
Chris started Villaire Financial because the financial services industry has largely overlooked people in their 20s and 30s for decades. He built this firm specifically for young professionals to give them clarity and direction with their finances.
Meet ChrisWhat a Financial Plan for University Staff Covers
Villaire Financial is a fee-only, fiduciary financial planning firm built for young professionals. No asset minimums. No commissions. A real plan built around your actual situation.
What clients say about working with Chris
"I'm so glad I started working with Chris early on in my career. He worked with me to create a plan that's unique to my financial goals and helped me get started with investing and planning for retirement."
"Chris has always been on top of his work and has helped me better my financial future. He truly cares about his clients and is continually trying to improve. Would highly recommend to anyone looking for financial growth and guidance."
"Working with Villaire Financial has been great. I wouldn't have started investing my money if it wasn't for Chris, and I'm glad I did. Chris is easy to communicate with and really understands how to help Gen Z put their money in the right places."
Testimonials from current clients of Villaire Financial, LLC. No compensation was provided. Individual experiences and results will vary.
Common Questions from University Staff
Does working at a Michigan university qualify me for PSLF?
Public universities like U of M, MSU, CMU, and GVSU are government employers and qualify for PSLF. Private nonprofit universities also qualify. Private for-profit universities do not. If you work at a qualifying institution and have federal Direct Loans on an income-driven repayment plan, your payments are counting toward forgiveness.
How do I choose between TIAA investment options in my 403(b)?
TIAA plans offer a mix of annuity products and mutual funds. Some TIAA annuity products carry high fees or illiquid surrender periods that make them poor choices for most savers. We review your specific plan's investment lineup and identify the lowest-cost, most appropriate options for your goals and timeline.
Should I use a Roth or traditional 403(b)?
That depends on your current income and expected income in retirement. At lower income levels, the Roth option makes sense: you pay taxes now at a lower rate and get tax-free growth. At higher income levels, pre-tax contributions reduce your current tax bill more meaningfully. We run the analysis with your actual tax situation.
Can university staff with student loans really benefit from PSLF?
Yes, significantly. A university staff member with $60,000 in federal loans who has been employed for five years may already have five years of qualifying payments completed, halfway to forgiveness. The key is verifying eligibility, confirming enrollment in the right plan, and filing annual employer certification.
What does the onboarding process look like?
We start with a free 30-minute intro call to discuss your situation and answer your questions. If it is a good fit, a deeper discovery meeting follows, then we build a financial plan across all areas of your finances. Meetings happen at least twice a year, and you have ongoing access to reach out between meetings.
Book a Free 30-Minute Intro Call
No sales pitch, no obligation. Just an honest conversation about your financial situation and what working together would look like. The call is free and there is no pressure to move forward.
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