Close the Gap

To get the best results possible when it comes to your college plan, you need to be sure to be sure to include the financial aid piece of the pla
TOGETHER with the admissions. Those who focus on both at the same time, get the best results. A critical step to take in creating your college plan is to close the gap when it comes to your finances and paying for college.

Your Smart Plan For College Assignment:
Get out your pen and paper and put down the following three numbers:
1. How much the college’s cost will be per year — include everything — tuition, books, room & board, transportation costs, personal expenses — all of it.
2. How much of that cost will the college actually expect you to pay, each year.
3. How much of what they will expect you to pay can you, realistically, actually pay each year — how much have you saved? how much can you squeeze out of your current budget? is there money outside of your family that you can count on? Add it all up.

If you come up with “zero”, then you need to seriously reconsider your plans or re-organize your priorities. Now, if you’re unemployed, on the verge of bankruptcy, then the reality is that the plan to send your child to college might have to be put on hold. But if you’re not in that type of situation, we always find the money for things we feel are important.

My former business coach, Fabienne Frederickson always would tell me: “”If you’re interested, you’ll do what’s convenient. If you’re committed, you’ll do whatever it takes.” And it’s true.

I’ve seen that first hand with my clients — twice now I’ve had mothers who made $15,000 find a way to get their children the help that they needed to find great colleges that would provide a firm foundation for success and to find every last dime of financial aid to make college affordable. Yes, children — both of these ladies had two kids I was fortunate enough to help.

I know you’re saying, “I’m committed – what does it take?”
Well, Outline the strategies you can utilize — honestly and ethically, of course — to close the gap as much as possible. Create the profile of the type of colleges that will yield the best results for your particular situation. Locate those colleges and then help your student craft an admissions strategy that will help leave an unforgettable impression in the admissions office.