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Who Should File Financial Aid Applications? EVERYONE!

Happy November! We’ve been very busy the past few weeks and are thrilled to announce that the new Westface College Planning website has officially launched! The site is packed full of tips for creating a college funding plan, insights for families and students, our free on-demand webinar and much more. Pop on over and let us know what you think!

Are you stressing about filing the FAFSA and CSS Profile and wondering if you really need to fill out those cumbersome financial aid applications? YES, you do! Filing early puts you and your student in a position to be awarded important first-come, first-serve grants and awards. If you have not filed, do it now. If you need assistance, we are happy to help!

Did you know research shows that parents see a college education as an essential investment for their child’s future success? Jill on Money talks frankly about this phenomenon and how families are willing to take financial risks despite soaring tuition costs.

Do you want to know more about how to create a college funding plan and save money for retirement? Give me a call at 360-818-7728, or sign up for a complimentary college funding consultation or educational webinar today!

I wish you a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday and look forward to talking with you soon!

~ Trixie

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Beatrice Schultz, CFP®
Westface College Planning
WA: (360) 818-7728
CA: (650) 587-1559
www.WestfaceCollegePlanning.com

Tips For Parents

5 Reasons Why EVERYONE Should Apply For Financial Aid

Financial Aid Piggy Bank

One of the most common questions I hear is, “Don’t I make too much to apply for financial aid?” This is an excellent question. If you earn a high income, own a nice home or two and have money saved for college and retirement, why would you bother completing those cumbersome and intrusive financial aid applications?

While most of my clients looking for help with a college funding plan do not qualify for need-based financial aid, I still advise them, plus every colleague, friend and relative I know, to apply for financial aid. Here are the top five reasons why, and some may surprise you!

Discover why you need to file now at Westface College Planning.

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Tips By Trix

Helpful Tips By Trix

Tip #1: Along with filing financial aid forms, be sure to submit other required college forms and internal applications by the required deadlines.

Tip #2: For families with two households, some colleges may require an additional CSS Profile to be filed by the non-custodial parent.       

Tip #3: The Student Health Center is a valuable resource for college students. Not only do they help during times of illness, but they also provide essential mental health services.

Want more helpful tips on how to create a college funding plan? Contact us today for a complimentary consultation!

On-Demand Free Webinar

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Enroll in our FREE on-demand webinar and learn how to calculate:

  • Expected Family Contribution (EFC)
  • Cost of Attendance (CoA)
  • FAFSA & CSS profile
  • Public vs. private costs
  • How you can afford college without jeopardizing retirement

Enroll for free now! Just click the button below!

Fun College Facts

A group of men and women holding up letters that say facts.
  • In 1841, Oberlin College in Ohio had the first women graduates in the United States
  • In the US, more than 2 million bachelor’s degrees are granted each year
  • The SAT was developed by Carl Brigham and first given to high school students in 1926

In College News

Jill On Money: Families Take On College Debt They Can’t Handle

Pile of money coins in and outside the glass jar with the book on blurred natural green background for financial and education concept

When I talk about paying for college, I proffer the usual advice: Build your family’s financial foundation (pay down debt, establish an emergency reserve fund and maximize retirement plan contributions) BEFORE trying to tackle college funding; talk to your kid as early as freshman year in high school about what the family can afford; and don’t shortchange your own or your child’s financial future by amassing mounds of debt.

In her book, “Indebted: How Families Make College Work at Any Cost,” Zaloom argues, “The problem of paying for college today involves such profound moral, emotional and economic commitments that it has, in fact, redefined the experience of being middle class.” Zaloom defines middle class as those who make too much money to qualify for major grants, but not enough to save or pay for college out of cash flow.

Continue reading this article on Newsday.

Ready for your own success story?

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If you’re a typical parent with college-bound students, you’re probably overwhelmed. You want to help your sons and daughters make the right choices and prevent overpaying for their education. You’re not alone! We’re here to help. Schedule your free consultation today – click below to get started!

Catch our free, on-demand webinar:

How to Survive Paying for College

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Join Beatrice Schultz, CFP® for our on-demand webinar, where she provides parents with the exact steps that often greatly lower the cost of college, even if there’s little time to prepare.