Welcome to Smart College Buyer
What will you get in the program:
- Getting a realistic cost of college in the search process
- Understanding chances for merit and need-based aid
- Understanding affordability for your situation
- Avoiding the gotchas(!) in the twists and turns of financial aid
- Help in filling out the financial aid forms
- Understanding which college gave you the best offer and what the college will truly cost
- Understanding how to ask for more aid
- Understanding the various payment options and how to determine which is right for you
Specifically, what you get help with:
| Package | Full custom program |
|---|---|
| What is it? | Individualized, fully customized 1:1 advice, where we do most of the work for or with you. We handle the research, the analysis, and develop strategies fully tailored to your student and family. |
| Ideal for... OR (next category) | Self-employed / business owner or “Complicated” finances (divorce, inheritance, etc.) |
| Student Grade | 8th - 12th |
| Fin Aid and Payment Strategies | Fully customized |
| Individual meetings | Unlimited, but as needed |
| Monthly webinars | Yes |
| Monthly open office hours | Yes |
| Email support | Unlimited |
| Overview of topics covered: | |
|---|---|
| Overview of financial aid | Yes |
| Review school list for aid considerations / Suggest other schools | Yes |
| Calculate Expected Family Contribution | Yes |
| Determine initial strategies to increase aid and/or payment | Yes |
| Determine affordability | Yes |
| Debt payoff strategies, if needed | Yes |
| Assist completing financial aid forms (Senior year only - younger than seniors this would be part of the annual on-going consulting fee) | Yes |
| Retirement income planning | Yes |
| Compare aid awards and negotiation strategies | Yes |
| Review private and public loan options | Yes |