by Jeff Cody
As a new year is right around the corner, many families start thinking ahead to a future milestone on their children’s educational journeys – college – and what support they may need to get there. At College Plus Retirement, our team has helped thousands of families to reach their educational goals without destroying their financial life in the process, and, while the specific reasons for wanting support can vary from family to family, and from year to year, what we have found to be true is that the more things change the more they stay the same. We've noticed these common reasons why you should hire a professional who not only focuses on the college entry process, but also someone who also specializes in helping families recover the high cost of education through macroeconomic, holistic financial planning.
Here are just eight reasons why you should attend our workshop and meet with us at no cost or obligation to discuss your goals and your situation.
Inflation: College costs have been rising at an average rate of 8% compounding year after year and this is been going on for years. Now, with the cost of living rising at such a rapid pace, it's even more important now than ever before to meet with a pro who can not only help you keep from getting killed by inflation, but be in position to take advantage of it!
Expert College Admissions Guidance: Many students want and need guidance from someone other than mom or dad. (I’ve lost count of how many parents have shared, “My kid just won’t listen to me!”) We have been a trusted partner to families for more than 20 years and our collaborative team of admissions experts can help you "delegate."
Expert College Finance Guidance: Getting into college is challenging enough – now you have to figure out how to pay for it! Our college finance experts work with families at all stages of the college finance process – from parents of newborn babies starting their first college savings account through parents of college seniors paying their final tuition bill. And because our finance experts are all highly experienced, helping over 20,000 students over the last 20 years, we know how to maximize financial aid and scholarship resources, to minimize the burden on families.
Building the College List: The right list is key to both successful college admissions and finance processes. The big-name schools get a lot of love, but there are many hidden gems to uncover. We typically recommend applying to a balanced list of 7-10 schools, with a mix of probable, possible, and reach options. An ideal list takes into consideration a student’s academic goals, as well as their financial, social, and personal wants and needs.
College Essay Support: Our families consistently share that one of the most valuable aspects of our services is the essay-writing support. Students often stress over what to write about and how to best present their accomplishments. Because parents, and sometimes teachers, can be too close to the student to provide objective guidance, it comes as no surprise to us that this service is one of our most sought after. Because our team has read hundreds of thousands of college essays, we know what makes a great one!
How to Be Competitive at Top Choice Schools: What are colleges looking for? How do students stand out in competitive applicant pools? The truth is, there is no perfect formula or secret sauce. However, we know how important it is to make sure that a student’s high school plan (curriculum choices, extracurricular activities, outside interests) aligns with their unique strengths and goals. As former decision makers at a wide variety of colleges across the country, our experts provide the guidance needed to help students maximize their high school experience and present their best selves in their college applications.
Organizational Support/Stress Reduction: The college process is a marathon, not a sprint. There are so many moving pieces, decisions, and deadlines along the way. Working with knowledgeable, experienced admissions and finance consultants helps to reduce the stress level, allowing the student to have some fun and gain confidence along the way. Contrary to popular belief, applying to college can be a positive experience!
Retirement Preserved: As financial advisors, we will not only help you recover the high cost of higher education, but we will also discuss ways you can increase your savings, liquidity, use, and control of your wealth under the following conditions - no additional risk and no additional out of pocket expense!
And no, NONE of this is too good to be true. We are just doing college planning and financial planning the way it was always intended to be done.
To learn more, come to a workshop! We go live every Tuesday evening at 6:30 p.m. Central. Just click on the button below. Also, feel free to check out our YouTube channel as well!