Financial Aid ~ Finding the Funding
“Congratulations, John Brown, you’ve been accepted to Awesome University for the Class of 2014. We look forward to having you on campus next fall.” Then John Brown receives his financial offer from Awesome University. After calculating the college's cost-of-attendance less the scholarships, grants and other financial aid he's been awarded, John finds he simply can't afford Awesome University ~ his second choice will have to do.
It’s great to be accepted to your “dream college” but if you can’t afford to pay for it what difference does the acceptance make. College funding is a critical element throughout the college planning process. You need to become familiar with the different kinds of college funding which include: personal financing, grants, scholarships, college savings plans, internships, work study and loans. Destination College & Beyond helps you develop the strategy to maximize college funding. The key to success is to start early and create your funding plan.
College = 2-year college, 4-year college, online programs, academies, career schools, technical education or apprenticeships. DCB also advises clients on high school post-grad year programs, gap year programs, community service projects, AmeriCorps, Vista, Peace Corps and military service.
Working with DCB you will…
- Choose the right college with the right program to maximize funding
- Develop the college funding plan early from initial college exploration to college graduation.
- Launch the family conversation about critical college funding issues including the expectations and responsibilities of paying for the college education ~ who will pay for what?
- Calculate your FAFSA/CSS Profile Estimated Family Contribution (EFC) from initial college planning through the annual financial filings.
- Prepare timely financial filings (FAFSA, CSS Profile, College-specific) to assure meeting critical deadlines.
- Analyze financial offers to determine which one best fits your education goals and funding needs.
- Identify & plan for scholarship and grant opportunities including targeted scholarship searches, the application process, essay review and mock interviewing with the goal of maximizing your chances for success.
- Analyze loan options to compare which ones offer the most cost effective and flexible repayment provisions.
…your suggestion that we discuss why Union College was THE place to go was worth your fee. My son had a long list of reasons and they were all well thought out and valid. It was good to have an open discussion about his decision without my being irritated about him spending so much more of my money and his feeling defensive. Thank you for your help. Shirley M, Parent
NOTE: The result of working with DCB, to prepare a compelling and thoughtful financial aid appeal, increased this client’s scholarship award from $10,000 to $16,000, renewable and added Work Study.
