About Our Approach
We provide financial education first so families can be more strategic about reducing debt (including college loan debt) and increasing tax-free options to cover before-retirement family emergencies and support a financially stable retirement. Our unique approach is centered on over 20 years of experience helping families preserve as much of their retirement as possible while also paying college expenses. This approach is done through…
About Our Values
Besides referring to an early school level, "first grade" also represents our high-quality and unmatched approach to your financial goals. Starting with our company symbol.
Our company logo represents four key philosophies that guide us to support your
financial goals.
Wealth. Whether “wealth” as in family, health, mindset, finance, we know you are the sum of what you value as “wealth” in your life. What matters to you, matters to us.
Purpose. We want to know your goals so our financial education and work supports your direction.
Relationships. The relationships with your family and with those you deem important,
we support your financial goals with your relationship-community in mind.
Growth. Knowing what matters to you and how that helps you grow with a growth-mindset, guides our craft in supporting your financial goal
About Dr. Marcelo F. Vazquez
With over 20 years of experience partnering with families to afford college tuition while also preserving and strengthening their retirement, I bring a unique and innovative perspective on bringing the best practices of tax-free retirement planning with college financial planning. For over 20 years, life insurance has also played an unexpected and strategic role in supporting the financial goals of many families.
I have held leadership positions in admissions, enrollment, and financial aid at the University of Nevada-Reno, CSU Northridge, Ventura Community College, and Otis College of Art & Design and at UCLA - the most competitive public research university admissions process in the nation.
I started First Grade Financial Aid because families need to know about the undisputed yet often unknown benefits of starting college financial preparation and retirement preparation in the early years. Life insurance can play an important role in doing this, a role even the United States Department of Education acknowledges in the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
My wife and I are raising our daughter (high school student) and son (elementary school student). They are a reflection of what we teach to families about being competitive for college, financial preparation, and life.
Education:
