COLLEGE COUNSELING AND FINANCIAL AID PACKAGES

How do I increase my chances of admission to college? This collection of services focuses on the admissions application aspect of the college process. From selecting a major and picking a school, to writing an essay and presenting a strong application, this package includes:

• Identify intended college major

If you don't know yet, we can help with that by discussing:

• • High school course load and graduation date

  • AP or transfer credits

  • Any extra-curricular activities

  • Work outside of school

  • Interests, favorite classes or hobbies

  • Do you have a resume or portfolio?

  • Ever taken a career quiz?

• Build a list of potential colleges

Based on:

• • Distance from home, geography

  • City life or country

  • 500 or 50,000 other students

  • Play sports now, want to play in college?

  • Any schools of interest yet

  • College tours done

  • Type of high school attending

  • GPA or test scores 

  • What matters and what doesn't

  • Budget and financial resources 

  • Taking loans, understand repayment

•  Establish availability of college planning resources for the student at school, at home, or online. 

  • Naviance available at school?

  • Guidance counselors available?

  • Essay writing in school?

• Admissions 101:

  • Are you college-ready?

  • Link between admissions and scholarships

  • Timeline for applying to admission and financial aid

  • Forms needed 

  • Essay work 

  • Tips and jargon

How do we pay for college? This collection of services focuses on the financial aspect of the college application process. This package includes:

• Establish goals, dreams, and concerns  for student success

  • First child to go to school, how many after this?

  • What schools are on your list

  • Distance preference

  • Type of student, GPA, work ethic

  • Thoughts about intended major

  • Did parent go to college?

  • What school did parent(s) attend

  • What matters and what doesn't

  • Are you on the same page as your student?

• Family financial resources, realistic expected family contribution based on:

  • Any 529 or college savings available

  • Feelings about student/parent loans

  • Could student manage work study, sports, clubs

  • Household dynamics 

  • Uncover potential aid challenges 

  • Current with tax filing

  • Parent's retirement plans

• Understanding financial aid award letters

• Comparing out of pocket costs for college

• Assist with financial aid appeals if applicable

Financial aid 101:

• • What is financial aid?

  • How is college financial aid calculated?

  • What is the FAFSA and FSA ID?

  • Direct college costs vs indirect

  • Discuss role of custodial parent or other nuances

  • Student loans

  • Parent loans and billing

  • Work study

Full Family Support Through The College Process -  This package includes everything in the Admissions and Financial Aid packages. Why do both?

• A strong admissions application supports a strong financial aid award. Trust me when I tell you that these two  college departments are intertwined.  A good essay and strong application can affect your scholarship. The admissions office determines the level of scholarship at many schools

• Picking the right colleges from the beginning can make the whole process more successful. Students who come to me only for financial aid help,  have often already applied to less-generous schools, or ones that expect parent's to take large loans.  

• Pairing these two approaches together will channel the most productive and effective resources to your benefit.

• It is more cost effective to bundle both programs together. Many people don't realize how much admissions and financial aid inform each other.

• Get everyone  in the family on the same page with the same goals

  • Set expectations for budget

  • Clarify responsibilities

  • Timelines and deadlines

  • Organizing websites, logins, passwords

  • Communication expectations