Anyone use college financial aid consultant?

mifdaddy,

 

My employer has a fantastic benefit offered to all employees for college planning, college admissions and college financial aid help and advice.  They have many web casts every year and personal consultation is available. 

 

While my employer has a contract with them, I'd be willing to bet they can be hired for service by an individual.  I highly recommend them as their experts are truly experts.  I have used this employee benefit extensively.  The firm is College Coach.  Their website is www.getintocollege.com.   Good luck and please let me know how it goes.

We personally have not, but a close relative has for their highly academic 2013. They paid $6000 for the service after following up from an informational meeting at their school where fee information had not been provided.

 

The consultant met with their 2013 several times one-on-one to identify schools that were a good match for him (athletics were not part of the equation). They have no geographical boundaries and he has decided on a major, so they guided him in writing his essays and provided ACT prep. They advised him on which schools to apply to - he applied to 28 around the country, large and small - he has been accepted to all and is receiving very nice scholarship awards from many.

 

They would tell you that it's worth the money. I work in higher education and I would tell you that the consultant didn't do anything for them that they couldn't have done themselves, if they had wanted to spend the time on the research online. As far as guidance and prep, his already high ACT score improved by one point with their assistance, and that could have been the result of one more year in school. He's also a very strong writer and probably would have been fine without them helping with his essays.

 

I hope that's helpful!

 

Thanks for the responses.  With already having baseball offers, the school choice and acceptance part of it is not needed at all.  Mine is only complicated by divorce and very different incomes between parents.  I am really looking for help with the FASA in the end.

A couple of important items about the FAFSA (in case you aren't aware): the custodial parent's income is primary. If the custodial parent is re-married, then the new spouse's income must also be included. For example, if Mom has primary custody and lives with her new husband - even though he has not adopted Joey and has no legal obligation to him - the incomes included on the FAFSA will be Mom and new husband. It doesn't matter if biological Dad claims Joey on his taxes, pays child support, etc. Craziest thing in the world to me, but it's true.

 

Also, you mentioned you are a small business owner. If your income will be one of the ones reported on the FAFSA, it will require information about all the assets of your business, and just like with parents, it really doesn't take into account debt.

 

Best of luck to you!

 

 

 

Hi Mifdaddy,

 

I have been to several college information sessions: 1) I was "invited" by letter to an information session, I am sure in the end, to get my "$6000", but a price was not revealed unless I submitted a form requesting an additional meeting; and 2) a session put on by our county's adult education evening class.  

 

What I learned:  From #1, lots of information about the FAFSA, and they did mention that there could be a way to reduce countable assets if you own a business.  They did not go into detail, but you would be wise to investigate what (or if?) you can do legally before the end of the year and if it would really help in your circumstance.  From #2, although a good informative 2-hour class, it was put on by a financial group, which is perfectly ok.  This group provided some interesting information, but many organizations of this type really want your retirement money to invest long term....the college money just comes in, then goes out to pay for college.

 

There are conversations regarding the FAFSA on this site and on the collegeconfidential.com forums.  Our high school also has someone come to the school to talk about the FAFSA and CSS profile.

 

There is also a free fafsa4caster where you can play around with your figures now to, for example, decide if it is worth paying cash for a new car this year (!).  Note: usually it is not.  Spending down your cash $20,000 only saves several hundred dollars to your EFC.  

 

Remember, when filling out the FAFSA, include only the information that they ask for.  And, if your EFC (estimated family contribution) comes out to more than the tuition/room/board for the school, submit it anyway.  The EFC is used as a benchmark.

 

Submit the FAFSA as early as you can after Jan 1st.  Use estimates, then update after you do your taxes.  Pay attention to deadlines. Most (but not all) financial aid determined by the FAFSA is in the form of subsidized and unsubsidized loans and work-study.

 

Good luck!

 

WE ARE STRIVING TO HAVE A FINANCIAL ADVISOR AS ONE OF THEGUEST SPEAKERS AT OUR SHOWCCASE THIS SUMMER IN NORWICH CT.   WE COSIDER THIS ASPECT TO BE VITAL

 

Thank you...  I also learned that you only have to claim income on schedule C if small business owner.  This makes a huge difference in my case.

Yes, we have. Especially with our circumstances, it has proven to be invaluable!  We live in IL. After initial drive to his office, for a consultation. Then all correspondence is by mail, email, text or phone. He does almost all of the legwork, everything. He has a very good reputation. He has a high level financial background. He is a published Author. He responds to you quicky. He keeps you current on everything.  First year of college, is a set fee, the following year(s) it is half of the initial fee. Every potential client that you send to him, that uses his services, reduces your own fee too.
So as not to violate HSBW policy on advertising, anyone interested may PM me for contact information. As in the Sport's World, he may likely know of other reputable Advisors, where you live.