About Kurt
The Wise Owl
Kurt Goedecke
Getting the most college money at the right school is a dance between the application for admissions and financial aid.
I started Wise Owl College Planning to advise and assist students to find the right fit for college and guide their parents through the college financial aid process. This is accomplished through a confidential and personal review and thorough knowledge and understanding of the college admissions and financial aid process.
Some of our greatest successes include working with a young woman whose parents never went to college and will not support her desire to better herself. We introduced her to a school of which she never would have heard, and she is able to pay for it herself. Another student was coached on how to look at schools that would meet her desire to study both music and chemistry and then encouraged her to apply for the full scholarship that will make the cost very reasonable, though her family would have never met the financial need criteria.
It is incredibly rewarding to guide the student to reach their potential. We look forward to coaching your student. Contact me to explore the possibilities to unlock their unique stories.
Work Experience
January 2020 – Present | Owner of Wise Owl College Planning
June 2014 – December 2020 | Director of Student Services | Senior College Funding Specialist | The College Money Guys
- Senior College Funding Specialist advising and consulting with parents of college bound students
- Simultaneously Director of Student Services Assisted an average of 250 students navigate the college roadmap process through consulting and hands on services from study skills to college scholarship negotiations. Proficient in CollegePlannerPro, College Resource Center and College Cost Navigator.
Nov 2013 – June 2014 | Director of Development | Lutheran Foundation of the Southwest
- Provided supervision and training to four member Gift Planning team. Planned and produced marketing material and presentation material. Developed a congregational marketing system and provided gift planning services to the Texas Gulf coast region. Profecient in Gift Planning, Moves Management, DonorSnap software and utilizing Crescendo for planning and social media networking.
June 1991 – November 2013 | Financial Consultant | Thrivent Financial for Lutherans
- Actualized client goals by providing analysis and advice in their personal financial plans including family risk protection, college funding, retirement planning and estate planning. Employed appropriate legal instruments such as CRUTs and CRATs, ILITs and charitable annuities as well as financial instruments such as life insurance, annuities and mutual funds to accomplish goals. Utilized both fee based and commission based arrangements to ensure highest client service.
April 1988 – June 1991 | Assistant General Agent | Transamerica Life
April 1984 – April 1988 | Agent | Transamerica Occidental Life Insurance Co.
June 1981- April 1984 | Assistant Director of Admissions | Rice University
Education
- Rice University, Bachelor of Arts in Biology, 1979
- The American College, Chartered Life Underwriter 1987;
- Chartered Financial Consultant 1990
- Dale Carnegie Course Teaching Assistant 1990
Licenses
- NASD Series 7, Series 63, Series 65
Volunteer Experience
- Texas Louisiana Gulf Coast Synod Council member June 2005 – June 2011
- Boy Scouts of America: Scoutmaster, District Award of Merit 2014, Wood Badge, National Youth Leadership Training Staff 2012, Friends of Scouting annual campaign 1999 to present, Eagle Scout 1971.
- Christ the Servant Lutheran Church: member since 1986. Church Council 1988-92, Capital Campaign “Growing to Serve” 2002, Constitution Committee 2009–10, Mission Statement 2011
- Lutherhill Development board 1993-1995, Capital Campaign 2009
- Houston Boychoir: President and Annual Fundraising Chair, 1999 – 2007
- Donated over 14 gallons of blood to the Gulf Coast Blood Center and a member of Commit for Life since 1996
- Member of Rice Alumni Volunteer Association (RAVA) 1980 – present
- Post Oak YMCA Partners: Exceeded fund raising goals for the youth programs at the YMCA
- Post Oak Persuaders Toast Masters; Secretary and President.
