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College admission and financial aid offices report to me that few parents appeal for a larger award, leaving substantial money on the table.

Sure, college costs too much. They hear about it every year at this time as Financial Award Letters are received to the sticker shock of many unsuspecting parents. Since costs are known in advance, why the shock? Five reasons-

1. The reality of college cost finally sets in when they see a line stating- Amount Due
2. Parents are typically not prepared financially or emotionally to deal with the cost of college
3. Parents find themselves paralyzed at the magnitude of the cost knowing it will recur and increase for years to come
4. Parents don’t know what to do about it, realizing they waited too long to work on it
5. Parents mistakenly expect to receive higher awards than they get, particularly regarding Financial Aid

The common response then is to call the Financial Aid Office to complain- “Your college costs too much. I can’t afford it.” They hear this repeatedly.

To most parents, their senses are validated- the reality check is real; they are not prepared financially or emotionally; they become paralyzed by the sticker price; they don’t know what to do; and, their expectation for higher awards was false.

But that doesn’t have to be your story. Rather, download your free eBook- 10 Steps to Saving $50,000 on College Costs by visiting our website- CollegeLogic

There are a couple of references to “Appeals” in our eBook. If you don’t know the appeal process, then you may leave thousands of dollars to other recipients, as college offices indicate to us. 

The first thing to know is there are two distinctly different appeals, one made with the Admission Office and one made with the Financial Aid Office; that’s knowing the authority over the subject.

The Admission Office Appeal is designed to increase merit scholarship awards based on receiving larger scholarships or a lower net cost from comparable colleges. If you don’t have these options secured, then you won’t have a basis for an appeal. Just wanting more will not be good enough. But if you have quality options secured as we plan for throughout the process, then a successful appeal will result in a larger scholarship award and a repeated four-year savings.

The Financial Aid Office Appeal is designed to increase the University financial aid award based on not receiving the fair share in the initial package, as determined by the numbers. In short, when the college’s net cost exceeds your EFC, you become a qualifier for University need-based aid. Your award should be proportionate to their reported percentage met. Often times, the college’s financial aid offer falls short and only through an official appeal can it be increased. It’s not good enough to call up and complain about costs being too high. Rather, you have to know the numbers and apply them in a formal Appeal process.

Appealing for larger scholarships and financial aid is a normal part of our strategic plan to save on college costs. We are here to help you lower your college costs. It all starts with a simple, free, no obligation, phone call- 203.470.3704.

Next week, we will discuss what to consider in making the right college decision. Until then, take 15 minutes and give us a call.

Hans Hanson, Founder and CEO of CollegeLogic

"Either you know the college perspective, or you will overpay."- Hans

March is the month that Financial Award Letters arrive in the mail from the colleges in which students and athletes received acceptances. And in most cases, it will cause anxiety, confusion, and even madness- madness at the system; madness in that the colleges own the system; madness in that you don't know the system; madness in that you feel vulnerable to the system; and madness in knowing this will go on for several more years.

In our world of work and passion, we call this "March Madness." No, it's not the basketball tournament that everyone will be watching for the next couple of weeks. That's actually very exciting and fun, hardly maddening. Rather, this is the Big Business Machine of College kicking into high gear. This is the one place in America in which people apply to be a customer, worry and pray for customer acceptance, and then be all too willing to accept the service provider's cost package. And of course, when the price goes up 5% each of the following years, people readily accept the increases. With that comes financial anxiety, personal hardship, and often times more madness.

It doesn't have to be that way. There are many things you can do to mitigate the damages. In fact, you have more control over it than you might think, But not by waiting until March of the senior year.

College costs are considered negotiable, but not by parents calling up and complaining about the high cost. Rather, negotiations begin figuratively long before applications are submitted. They begin by building relationships with the key-decision makers at least a year in advance of applications. They continue in building value amongst those relationships. They continue further by creating leverage in securing quality options.

For you, we have a free eBook, 10 Steps to Saving $50,000 on College Costsavailable at your fingertips by visiting our website- www.mycollegelogic.com and downloading the book. This eBook saves people tens of thousands of dollars, and just may do the same for you.

Next week, we will discuss the Appeal process...stay tuned for more savings strategies!

Would you like to schedule a call to see how you can save thousands on college costs? Let me know if you do.

CollegeLogic Founder- Hans Hanson

A tribute to our motto- "You Have to Launch Yourself!"

https://vimeo.com/145349091

"If you don't know what you want out of college, then how are you going to get it?"

When we evaluate colleges for their progressive position in delivering education, we look primarily at 7 essential factors in determining if a college is staying up with the times. We suggest you do as well.

1. Academic excellence and diversification of studies geared towards future opportunities
2. Internship opportunity and co-op involvement within the local community
3. Study-abroad programs for promoting cultural immersion and diverse perspectives
4. Availability of and access to new, modern technology
5. Research projects of the school open to student engagement
6. Sophistication of the student-population
7. Sphere of influence of the college and its professors  

When college is done and over with, besides the education, the value of the college will often be evaluated and determined for its influences and resulting relationships.

CollegeLogic works with families to understand college opportunity and be sure families get the college outcomes they desire. This is just one way we help you get college right. It should not be left to chance.  

Hans
Founder CollegeLogic
Office # 203.470.3704