When Tom Krent talks about college planning, he doesn’t start with applications or financial aid. He starts with stress — and how to relieve it.
“Families are overwhelmed,” Krent says. “We walk alongside them with a plan. When people know their options and have a strategy, the stress melts away.”
Since 2013, Krent has been with Education Planning Resources (EPR; fprsllc.com), a Metro Detroit-based nonprofit founded in 2008 to help families reduce college costs, avoid debt and protect their retirement. While the organization’s services are deeply strategic — reverse-engineering FAFSA scores, calculating long-term savings and navigating aid formulas — it’s also about mentorship, mission and the future of the next generation.
“We see the big picture,” says Krent, who has a background in engineering and a lifelong love of education. “We’re not just talking about paying for college. We’re talking about creating career pathways, smart financial planning and opening doors, no matter what path a student takes.”
That path may include a four-year university, but just as often it’s trade school, a community college or an apprenticeship. Krent and the EPR team help families navigate all routes with the same attention to academic fit and financial efficiency.
Personal experience, professional purpose
Krent’s own college experience came with opportunities, including co-op programs, scholarships and work-study partnerships, that helped pave his way. But as a parent, he learned how savings plans like 529s can hurt financial aid eligibility. That disconnect between what families think helps and what actually does is part of what motivates him today.
“We were penalized 20 percent on FAFSA for doing what we thought was the right thing,” he says. “Families deserve to know how the system works – before it’s too late.”
EPR has developed software that calculates a student’s Student Aid Index (SAI) at any age. Their team includes former guidance counselors, admissions officers, educators and financial professionals, giving families both practical advice and academic insight.
“We’re volunteers, but this is one of the biggest quests of my life,” Krent says. “Helping families, especially students, understand their options and their power? That’s everything.”
A statewide mission, one family at a time
Although EPR no longer has a physical office (they went virtual after COVID), they work with families across Michigan via Teams — they’ve guided families from Frankenmuth to Monroe, Detroit to Ann Arbor. In presentations at schools like Detroit Country Day, they connect students directly with professionals — from doctors to engineers — who share real-life career stories.
About half of EPR’s work is related to traditional college planning. The rest includes career coaching, mentorship, work-study and helping adults retrain or relaunch their own careers.
“We help anyone seeking the next step,” Krent says. “Education looks different for everyone.”
Top 5 Tips from Education Planning Resources
Every parent should know these, no matter where you are in your journey.
- Start Now: Whether your child is 6 or 16, it’s never too early to explore career interests and financial strategy.
- Explore Real Careers: Attend local conventions and career-focused events. Exposure sparks inspiration.
- Be Strategic About Saving: Not all savings plans are FAFSA-friendly. Know the rules before you invest.
- Maximize School Programs: Dual enrollment, co-op work/study and Early College options can save time and money.
- Look Beyond the Sticker Price: Private colleges often offer more aid than public ones — don’t rule them out.
“We’re volunteers, but this is one of the biggest quests of my life,” Krent says. “Helping families, especially students, understand their options and their power? That’s everything.” — Tom Krent