College planning and saving advice from the experts
2021
Comparing Financial Aid Award Letters
As you weigh your college decision options, we know many of you are comparing multiple financial aid award letters. Unfortunately, this process can sometimes feel overwhelming. Many colleges and universities have their unique award letter structure and communicate...
Expert Take: Don’t Stress Over the Admissions Process
“I don’t think applying for college should be someone’s extracurricular activity.” That is the advice Emily Almas, Director of Admissions at Washington University in St. Louis, offered parents and students who signed on to our recent webinar, The Latest in College...
Making the most of college visits
It’s no secret that college is expensive today. According to The College Board’s latest annual survey, the average cost of a public, four-year college in state was $10,560 for 2020-2021. For a private, nonprofit college, the number was $37,650. With those costs, it’s...
Creating Meaningful Connections with the Admission Office
Many students apply to multiple colleges, so they have options to compare academic and financial fit as part of the final college choice. On the flip side, this typically increases the number of applicants each college receives. A larger applicant pool allows the...
Tips For Writing a Great College Essay
The essay is an important part of the college admission application. It provides students with the opportunity to connect on a more personal level with the admissions office while showcasing their creative writing skills. Check out my conversation with Clairissa...
New Year’s Resolutions for 2021
Hi, I’m Ann Garcia, CFP®, the College Financial Lady. I’m a fee-only, fiduciary financial advisor. I help families plan and finance affordable college education. I’m also a mom to college-aged twins, so I’m right there with you.Has there ever been a year as hotly...