You are here:Home Blog
October 9, 2018

Scholarship System Webinar Financial Aid Interview

I was recently interviewed by Jocelyn Paonita Pearson, Founder of The Scholarship System. We discussed the true aspects of the financial aid process. Topics include the CSS Profile, FAFSA, and the three different formulas that colleges utilize to determine the student’s financial aid award and common mistakes made by families that will shortchange their award.

This is a great resource to better understand the college Financial Aid process because I share information with Jocelyn that the educational system does not share with families. If you would like more information or clarification, contact our staff.

college financial aid webinar 2018

Watch a replay of the Scholarship System Webinar Financial Aid Interview 2018

Filed Under: Press
October 2, 2018

Forbes Interview FAFSA And The College Financial Aid Process

Recently our founder Ronald had the opportunity to speak with Megan Gorman for her Forbes interview FAFSA and the college financial aid process. We have stated over and over again that families should never procrastinate in the financial aid process. Families need to plan ahead, do their research, and meet deadlines about the FAFSA, CSS Profile, and any institutional financial aid forms.

Regarding the FAFSA deadline, families should never go by the Federal deadline. The college’s deadline for FAFSA is the most important here. If you would like more information on how to proceed in the process more efficiently and obtain more financial aid, contact our office.

Forbes.com
What Parents Need To Know About Applying For-FAFSA And The Financial Aid Process

Filed Under: Press
September 4, 2018

12 Tips For Parents and Students On Paying Your Way Through College

These are our 12 tips for parents and students on paying your way through college in the 2018 and 2019 school year. Every year we consult with many families, single parents and even students who want to make college more affordable. These are the things we believe without fail you need to do to reduce the cost of college.

  1. Students should always walk into the financial aid office the first day they are on campus and ask if there are any “in-house” scholarships they can apply for. Many times there are and students are not aware that they exist.
  2. Pursue outside scholarships keeping in mind that they should never pay for a scholarship service.
  3. Set up a 529 plan for your student.
  4. Whenever possible purchase used textbooks and sell them when they are finished with them. You are never going to use them again.
  5. Utilize work study on campus whenever possible.
  6. Keep credit card debt at a minimum and always pay it down on time.
  7. Choose the right meal plan.
  8. Set up a student checking account. Most of them are free. Keep organized regarding their spending habits.
  9. Get the right cell phone plan.
  10. Utilize alternative transportation such as a bike, bus or rail system.
  11. Consider being a resident advisor. Many colleges will offer free or reduce room and board. If the college is close to family or relatives the student should consider living at home which is one of the most economical ways to get an education. If money is short in the beginning, the student should consider a community college. There are now many quality 2 year programs around the US that will allow a student to transfer their credits to a four-year school.
  12. Retain a trained expert in the financial aid process. These people can save families thousands of dollars in their 4-year education.

If you wish to consult with one of our fine experts, please contact our office for a complimentary consultation. Just like a great accountant for 28 years we have been experts in financial aid. We would love to look at your FAFSA and CSS Profile and see if we can help reduce the out of pocket expense even more.

Filed Under: College Life Tagged With: , , , , , ,
July 24, 2018

It Is That Time of The Year For The College Scholarship Scam

College Scholarship Scam Warning

Whenever students head back to college it becomes time for the College Scholarship Scam. The Better Business Bureau says scammers are using the college scholarship scam to rip-off students. The BBB estimates 350,000 students and parents are victimized by scholarship scams each year, at a cost of over $5 million.

Many students fall for the sales pitches of a phony organization that require an upfront fee to secure scholarships. They state that they will guarantee free money or they will refund the fee. Their guarantee is bogus. If you want to know why, please contact our office. Never, ever pay a fee for a scholarship service. In addition, we have tracked over the last 28 years the best free web-based scholarship sources available. contact us here for a complimentary consultation and the opportunity to speak with someone to learn more.

Filed Under: College Life
June 12, 2018

Colleges Mislead Students & Families In Their Financial Aid Awards

I recently came across an article on how colleges mislead students and families in their financial aid awards. This common practice by colleges has been occurring since I started College Aid Consulting Services back in 1990. Families should know what is expected of them. Many students that receive their initial awards have now idea what is a fair one. If you would like to know more about the money you spend for education and more, contact our office:

Report: 36% of colleges are hiding the cost to students
Read Article

Filed Under: News
May 1, 2018

My Interview On Best Options For College Student Loans

college student loans

Recently I had the opportunity to opine on college student loans in a recent article in Student Loan Hero. I continue to highly recommend that families shop around for private loans and consider them before using Federal Direct Loans in that there are better terms out there. Now, with that said, families should always consider utilizing Federal Subsidized Stafford Loans. Why? No accruing of interest during the student’s education!

If you would like to know more how to lower your out of pocket expense for college or learn about resources for scholarships please fill out our contact form for a complimentary consultation.

https://studentloanhero.com/featured/south-dakota-student-loans/

Filed Under: Press
April 2, 2018

Do You Know Your College Tuition Expected Family Contribution 2018?

expected family contribution

Do you know what your Expected Family Contribution (EFC) 2018 is? Most families don’t. Did you know that there are three EFCs in the financial aid process? Most families don’t.

The EFC(s) represents the families’ ability to pay for a college education. The Expected Family Contribution (EFC) is calculated via the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and the Estimated Family Contribution (EFC) is calculated via The CSS Profile under one of two formulas. The Institutional Methodology or the Consensus Methodology depending on the college. Families need to know that the three EFCs could vary widely. Moreover, many families are not told what their EFC is under the Institutional and the Consensus Methodologies by the college(S).

If you would like our staff to calculate your true EFC(s) and learn how to increase your financial aid eligibility, please contact our office.

Filed Under: News Tagged With: , , , , ,
March 29, 2018

Funding College Education Interview

It was a sincere pleasure to be in the WCCO radio studio for the “Ask The Expert” Funding College Interview.  Topics that were discussed included the CSS Profile, FAFSA, need analysis, campus visits, how to and when to start saving for college, private and Federal educational loans, why to apply to as many colleges as possible, and much more. It’s always my pleasure talking about financial aid topics with Steve Thomson. Great discussion with Steve on the true aspects of the college financial aid process. As always, if you have any questions or want to take advantage of our complimentary consultation, contact us.  Enjoy!

Filed Under: Press
February 5, 2018

Why Families Should Consider a Community College

Consider a Community CollegeConsider A Community College

I just completed reading a recent article on why families should consider a community college. After reflecting on it I was motivated to blog some benefits of community colleges and why families should consider them in the student’s first and second year in college.

  1. The first one is obvious. The cost. Community colleges cost thousands of dollars less than a 4-year state university or private college.
  2. Second, over the years many states have produced excellent community colleges that allows students to take quality classes that will transfer to a 4-year school (as a Minnesotan, I am proud to say that we have some of the best community colleges in the nation).
  3. Third, by attending a community college, it allows many students you wish to be close to home to do so.

In summary, a community college should be a consideration for many families especially when the cost is a major factor.

Read the original article here.
http://www.latimes.com/socal/daily-pilot/opinion/tn-dpt-me-commentary-20180119-story.html

Filed Under: College Life
January 19, 2018

Why Hire A College Financial Aid Consultant in 2018?

Why Hire A College Financial Aid Consultant in 2018?

Why Hire A college financial aid consultant in 2018? Now that the new year has now arrived and many families are in the process of filing their FAFSAs and CSS Profiles to obtain financial aid it motivates me to opine on one of my favorite topics.

Occasionally as college financial aid consultant, I am asked, why should I retain you when I can do it on my own or get help from the high school? My answer is always the same. Yes, you can do it on your own. However, what results do you want in your attempt to obtain more free money? Average or optimum? For example, the majority of CSS Profiles and FAFSAs that I review for parents will find mistakes they have made. Another example, how will the family know if the initial financial aid offer is a fair one? FYI, many are not.

If the bottom line is if the cost of college is a factor for your family, you need an expert. It is common sense here. The family is left at the mercy of two people in the process, the high school guidance person (who is not an expert about anything regarding financial aid) and the college. If would like more common sense advice regarding how to approach the financial aid process and make it work for you, contact our office.

Filed Under: High School Planning
Google+