Colleges have classes to fill and bottom lines to meet. Don’t forget that. “Parents need to treat this as a consumer purchase. They’re purchasing an education from the college,” said Ronald Ramsdell, founder of College Aid Consulting Services in Minneapolis. You need to learn as much as possible about a school, its benefits and its cost before paying the tuition bill.
April 2, 2014
Advice To Parents Financial Aid For College
April 2, 2014
Appealing Your Financial Aid Award Letter
But being proactive with an appeal letter can get the committee to rethink its original offer, sometimes to the tune of an extra $11,000 annually, according to College Aid Consulting Services president Ron Ramsdell. Average results vary, but that is how much extra gift aid one of his clients was able to get for her freshman year, after a successful appeals process with Pace University.
April 2, 2014
Must Ask Questions About Your Financial Aid Package
“You want to get reassurances from colleges that you can count on the same generosity all four years of attendance,” said Ron Ramsdell, founder of Minneapolis-based College Aid Consulting Services.
April 2, 2014
Why Work With A College Financial Aid Consultant?
“Parents can research this on their own, but it can take months,” says Ramsdell, who estimates that he saves families an average of $2,000 to $5,000 per year after appealing a financial aid offer.
April 2, 2014
Finding Ways To Pay For College
Watch College Aid Consulting Services founder and other experts discuss important ways to make investments in helping you pay for college.
April 1, 2014
Can You Pass The Tuition Test?
Parents need to file financial aid forms like the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) ASAP; it is first come first serve. Parents need to be aware of early deadlines. More gift-aid available early on as appose to later.
August 3, 2013
Important College Dates 2013-2014
Make note of the dates that matter to you.
September 2013
3 – LSAT Registration Deadline for 10/5 Test
6 – GRE Registration Deadline for 10/12 Test
13 – GRE Late Registration Deadline for 10/12 Test 13 – LSAT Late Registration Deadline for 10/5 Test 16-18 – NCAN National Conference
19-21 – NACAC’s National Conference
21 – ACT Test (Selected States)
October 2013
4 – GRE Registration Deadline for 11/9 Test
5 – SAT Test
5 – LSAT Test
11 – GRE Late Registration Deadline for 11/19 Test 12 – GRE Test
14-17 – NSPA National Conference 23-25 – College Board National Forum 26 – ACT Test
November 2013
2 – SAT Test
4 – LSAT Registration Deadline for 12/7 Test
9 – GRE Test
11-15 – National Distance Learning Week
15 – LSAT Late Registration Deadline for 12/7 Test
December 2013
7 – SAT Test 7 – LSAT Test 14 – ACT Test
January 2014
Remind students to complete FAFSA and submit ASAP to maximize chances for aid
3 – GRE Registration Deadline for 2/8 Test
7 – LSAT Registration Deadline for 2/8 Test
10 – GRE Late Registration Deadline for 2/8 Test 17 – LSAT Late Registration Deadline for 2/8 Test 25 – SAT Test
February 2014
Financial Aid Awareness Month
Remind students to submit 2013-2014 FAFSA 8 – ACT / LSAT / GRE Test (except in NY)
March 2014
8 – SAT Test
April 2014
National Financial Literacy Month
12 – ACT Test
15 – Federal income tax due for 2013
May 2014
1 – National Candidates’ Reply Date 4 – SAT Test Day
June 2014
7 – SAT Test
14 – ACT Test
30 – Last day to subvmit 2013-2014 FAFSA
Summer 2014
June 29 – July 2 – NASFAA Conference Order materials: www.fastweb.com/educators
Refer to the GMAT, LSAT and MCAT for more test date information
August 2, 2013
Important High School Dates 2013-2014
Make note of the date important to you.
September 2013
National College Savings Month
6 – SAT Registration Deadline for 10/5 Test 19 – 21 – NACAC’s National Conference
20 – SAT Registration Deadline for 10/5 Test 21 – ACT Test (Selected States)
27 – ACT Registration Deadline for 10/26 Test
October 2013
Choose AP coordinators if participating
3 – SAT Regular Registration Deadline for 11/2 Test 5 – SAT & Subject Tests
11 – ACT Late Registration Deadline for 10/26 Test 18 – SAT Late Registration Deadline for 11/2 Test 26 – ACT Test
November 2013
2 – SAT & Subject Tests
8 – SAT Registration Deadline for 12/7 Test
8 – ACT Regular Registration Deadline for 12/14 Test 22 – SAT Late Registration Deadline for 12/7 Test
22 – ACT Late Registration Deadline for 12/14 Test
December 2013
7 – SAT & Subject Tests
14 – ACT Test
27 – SAT Registration Deadline for 1/25 Test
January 2014
Remind students to complete FAFSA and submit ASAP to maximize chances for aid
10 – SAT Late Registration Deadline for 1/25 Test 10 – ACT Registration Deadline for 2/8 Test
24 – ACT Late Registration Deadline for 2/8 Test 25 – SAT & Subject Tests
February 2014
Financial Aid Awareness Month
Remind students to submit 2013-2014 FAFSA 7 – SAT Registration Deadline for 3/8 Test
8 – ACT Test (except in NY)
21 – SAT Late Registration Deadline for 3/8 Test
March 2014
7 – ACT Registration Deadline for 4/12 Test
8 – SAT Test (only)
21 – ACT Late Registration Deadline for 4/12 Test
April 2014
National Financial Literacy Month
4 – SAT Registration Deadline for 5/3 Test
12 – ACT Test
18 – SAT Late Registration Deadline for 5/3 Test
May 2014
1 – National Candidates’ Reply Date
3 – SAT & Subject Tests
5 – AP Exams Week 1
9 – SAT Registration Deadline for 6/7 Test 9 – ACT Registration Deadline for 6/14 Test 12 – AP Exams – Week 2
23 – Late Registration Deadline for 6/7 Test
23 – ACT Late Registration Deadline for 6/14 Test
June 2014
7 – SAT & Subject Tests
14 – ACT Test
30 – Last day to submit 2012-2013 FAFSA
Summer 2014
Jul – 1 – AP scores available by phone, AP grades sent Order materials: www.fastweb.com/educators
April 2, 2012
College Financial Aid Tips Interview
Parents do not have to disclose certain information on institutional forms like the CSS Profile. Students should apply to at least six schools if not more. Students should apply to both state and private schools. All families should submit the FAFSA for all schools. Families should utilize Federal subsidize loans before considering private sources.
Watch my interview on Fox 9 to learn more.
February 24, 2010
Paying For College
Parents and students should be proactive in the process of applying for financial aid (FAFSA and CSS Profile). Do not miss deadlines. In pursuing college, parents should treat the process as a consumer purchase. They are purchasing an education from a business.
Watch the video below to learn more from my interview.
