EFC for Dummies

August 21, 2009

The definition of the Expected Family Contribution (EFC) from the Department of Education web site is that it is a measure of your family’s financial strength and is calculated according to a formula established by law. Your family’s taxed and untaxed income, assets, and benefits (such as unemployment or Social Security) are all considered in the formula. [...]

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$$ For College – Have You Got a Money Tree?

August 21, 2009

Many (maybe even most) parents and students immediately jump to the idea of scholarships to bridge the gap between their contribution and the cost of college. But the bulk of federal financial student aid is made up of grants (such as the Pell Grant), work study, and, mostly, low cost student loans.
But remember this: If [...]

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Off To College? How Far Should They Go?

August 12, 2009

As high school junior and senior years progress, the day of departure from home looms ever closer on the horizon. In spite of the many trials and tribulations associated with teenage years, there is sweet sorrow in this parting of the ways (the separation lasting at least until after graduation, in some cases). In fact, [...]

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College Funding -
Why do parents wake up to this nightmare?

August 7, 2009

College funding – Why do so many parents wake up to this nightmare? Talking about the “taboo” subject of money with their college-bound student is just another aspect of parenthood that many adults fear that they may fail their children on. While failure can be a terrific learning experience, doing so with the numbers game with college planning is [...]

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Kid’s in college and you’ve just lost your job. Now what?

August 6, 2009

Putting that college sticker on the back window of the family SUV is a family’s way of saying who really owns that car! Finding ways to pay for that sticker, or rather, for Junior’s college education is a daunting task in today’s economy. Leveraging the family cash flow, assets, home equity, and even (foolishly) retirement [...]

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New York Times’ Poor Reporting Casts Doubt On College Counselors

August 6, 2009

A recent article in the New York Times has stirred up quite a fuss in the educational counseling world (see link at the end of this post).
The piece questions, in a general sense, the usefulness of independent counselors who work with college bound high school students and their families. Highlighting his argument, the writer cites [...]

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Parents … Get to work with your kids!

August 6, 2009

Some parents would have better luck scheduling an appointment with President Barack Obama in the next week, than they would in getting 10 minutes of “sit-down-to-talk” time with their busy high school student!
While I have been skeptical of stories where parents are now being informed that they need to start the college planning process when [...]

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Five top reasons to work with a professional college counselor

August 5, 2009

Disclaimer: At certain points, we will promote our own services here. However, we encourage parents and students to locate and obtain some advice and guidance from an established and reputable professional counselor, even if they opt to bypass our College Search Game Plan. (We are members of HECA, which seeks to establish and promote high [...]

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