Planning and paying for a college education is a daunting task for most parents. It is a stressful and costly process that needs a well-thought-out academic and financial strategy. This guide offers just that! Two of the nation's leading college planning and financing experts provide clear step-by-step guidance on how to successfully save, plan for, apply to, and finance a college education. Age- and grade-appropriate guidance empowers families with children of all ages, with detailed information on preparing, financing, and successfully applying to college. Financing a college education requires a good look at all available options: savings, free money, financial aid, and loans. Finding the right savings vehicle and investments is important. Learn the pros and cons of various savings and investment options, including Bank accounts, 529 Plans, Coverdell Education Savings Accounts, and more-so you can begin to develop your plan. Easy-to-understand explanations help parents better understand college loans, including details about federal and private loans, consolidation and refinancing of loans, as well as a discussion on what it means to co-sign a loan. Based on the expert advice presented in this book, parents will be able to create a personalized college admission and financing plan that is unique to their family.

How are you going to pay for college? With the costs of college these days, financial aid isn't an option; it's a necessity. But how do you know you're getting everything you deserve? Eight Steps to Help Black Families Pay for College walks you through this daunting process. Inside you'll learn how to: -Get a handle on the financial aid process; learn about loans, scholarships, grants, and work-study programs -Approach financial aid with the right attitude and make debt work for you -Choose the right school-and understand how cost factors into college selection -Utilize long- and short-term strategies to get the maximum aid you need -Assess and respond to financial aid offers -Pay back loans responsibly You'll also gain insight into how the government and colleges determine your expected family contribution (EFC). As a bonus, you'll discover the role affirmative action plays in the admissions decision. We've even included real-life stories to help you avoid financial aid gaffes and pitfalls. Learn how to make informed action pay off now and in the long run so that one day you can give back to your alma mater and your community.

Financial Aid Sense was originally published in 2012 but was completely updated in 2016! Figuring out the financial aid process and deciphering the financing aspects of a college education is overwhelming and stressful. Financing decisions that you make today can impact your life well into the future-thus it is vital that you are informed about the many college financing options available. Financial Aid Sense will guide you through the process so that you don't miss out on financial aid opportunities and will help make the financial aid process much easier to understand for you! Financial Aid $ense was created with the clear purpose of providing a resource for the entire college financing process, beginning with the financial aid application process, award letter comparison, determination of bottom line costs, and strategy for paying the bill and related costs. By bringing many resources together in an easy-to-follow format, this guide breaks down a complex process, provides valuable resources, shares money-saving tips as well as strategies for navigating through the college financial aid process. The college admission process is typically at the forefront of people's minds as they think ahead to college, however of equal importance is the financing aspect of a college education. This should be done with as much thought and planning as the admission process a family must begin thinking about the financing aspects of college early on......long before the college acceptance letters are received. The college planning process is a journey! Take Financial Aid $ense along for a better informed journey and have the necessary tools at your fingertips to use along the way! Don't miss out on financial aid opportunities! Financial Aid $ense will guide you through the process and give you valuable information along the way! Fifty percent (50%) of net revenues from this book go directly to support the National GRACE Foundation's mission of providing free college admission and financial aid counseling services to pediatric cancer patients and their families. Financial Aid Sense is also available as an E-Book for Kindle.

How to determine whether or not a student might be eligible for federal, private, or college-oriented assistance, and if not, what to do next. Annotation copyrighted by Book News, Inc., Portland, OR

..".addresses the most perplexing policy issues concerning higher education finance, college access and affordability, and student financial aid in layman's language....a well-written monograph." Community College Journal of Research and Practice "Financing a College Education is an excellent resource for academics, policymakers, college leaders, and students of highers education. It is well written and accessible, yet provides detailed analyses that will be valuable for anyone who wishes to understand a very complex and rapidly changing topic that is critical to higher education today." The Journal of Higher Education