SPONSORED CONTENT -- (StatePoint) Are you a college student interested in a career as a financial planner? You might think you need to wait until you graduate to get started, but there are steps you can take as an undergraduate to jumpstart your career.

A good place to start is by becoming a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER^® professional. Here’s what to know:

CFP^® certification has a two-part education requirement: To become a CFP^® professional, you must obtain a bachelor’s degree in any discipline and complete coursework through a CFP Board Registered Program. The good news is that you can work toward both at the same time. Your college may offer a financial planning curriculum registered with CFP Board, allowing you to fulfill this requirement by earning your degree. If your school does not offer this curriculum, you can complete the coursework through a stand-alone program registered with CFP Board. There are more than 300 Board Registered Programs to choose from, both online and in person, giving you the flexibility to find a program that meets your needs.

Coursework prepares you for your future career: The coursework to become a CFP^® professional gives you an advantage as a financial planner, covering essential topics that you’ll use daily, like tax planning and risk management. A capstone course ties it all together, showcasing your ability to create comprehensive financial plans for your future clients.

Support is available:CFP Board offers tools including mentorship opportunities, exam preparation resources and an online forum to connect with other candidates, all to support you on your certification journey. These resources will be especially valuable as you balance your other academic commitments.

You can apply to scholarships: Juggling college tuition on top of additional educational expenses may sound daunting. Fortunately, scholarships are available to help offset the costs for eligible students. Much of this financial aid is specifically geared toward candidates from underrepresented populations, including women and people of color. And once you obtain certification, you’ll be well-positioned to recoup your investment by earning a competitive salary.

To learn more about the CFP^® certification journey, visit www.cfp.net.

Embarking on a financial planning career is not a dream you need to defer. In fact, come graduation day, you could already be well on your way to making it happen.

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