Financial Strategy
Paying for college is one of the most significant financial decisions a family will make — and one of the least understood. With sticker prices at more than a dozen schools now surpassing $100,000 a year, it's essential to know the rules.
Our College Financial Strategist makes sure the financial picture is as clear as the academic one — before you fall in love with a school, before you apply, and before an aid letter lands in your inbox.
College financial planning isn't separate from the admissions process — it's woven through every decision, from which schools make the list to whether Early Decision makes sense for your family. We make sure you're thinking about both sides of the equation at the same time.
What we help families navigate:
Understanding the real cost. Sticker price and net price are very different numbers. We walk families through how schools calculate need, what the FAFSA and CSS Profile are actually measuring, and what a realistic out-of-pocket cost looks like at the schools on your list — so there are no surprises in April.
Positioning for aid. The decisions families make years before a student applies — how savings are structured, where assets are held, how income is reported — have a direct impact on financial aid eligibility. We help families understand what they can and can't control, and make informed choices while there's still time.
Reading aid letters. Not all aid is created equal. We help families distinguish true grant and scholarship money from loans and work-study so they're comparing apples to apples across schools.
Merit aid strategy. Need-based aid isn't the only path. We help families build a college list with an eye toward merit aid opportunities — schools that are likely to compete for your student — and understand when and how to negotiate.
The appeals process. A financial aid offer is often a starting point, not a final answer. We guide families through the professional judgment and appeal process, including how to make a compelling case when circumstances change or competing offers are on the table.
Borrowing wisely. When loans are part of the picture, the order in which you borrow matters. We walk families through the federal loan landscape, Parent PLUS considerations, and alternatives — so if debt is part of the plan, it's a thoughtful one.