logo_transparent_backgroundlogo_transparent_backgroundlogo_transparent_backgroundlogo_transparent_background
  • About Us
  • The Difference
  • Samples
    • High Need
    • High Merit
  • Get Started
  • Pricing
  • Bob’s Blog
  • Contact Us
✕
September 14, 2017
Out-of-the-Box Ways to Maximize College Financial Aid

Out-of-the-Box Ways to Maximize College Financial Aid

Lower Your Expected Family Contribution with These Techniques Many anxious families will […]
Published by Robert J Falcon, CFP®, CPA/PFS, CCFC®, MBA September 14, 2017
Do you like it?
Read more
June 1, 2017
How to Select Colleges That Cost You Less

Market Timing Doesn’t Work…Except When it Does

Make Your Contribution to PA 529 GSP by August 31 I spend […]
Published by Robert J Falcon, CFP®, CPA/PFS, CCFC®, MBA June 1, 2017
Do you like it?
Read more
May 1, 2017
Back to the Future 1980 vs 2017

Back to the Future 1980 vs 2017

Could you afford your college alma mater? A college education is likely […]
Published by Robert J Falcon, CFP®, CPA/PFS, CCFC®, MBA May 1, 2017
Do you like it?
Read more
March 1, 2017

Can You Handle the Truth?

Real answers about paying for college. You’ve already heard about the extraordinary […]
Published by Robert J Falcon, CFP®, CPA/PFS, CCFC®, MBA March 1, 2017
Do you like it?
Read more
Prev page
123

BOB IN THE NEWS

College bills coming due? Here are some smart tips before you pay.
Philadelphia Inquirer, July 2019

Leveraging Divorce to Maximize College Financial Aid Journal of Financial Planning, Feb. 2019

“Buying” College in the 21st Century: Clients Should Search for Colleges They Can Afford Journal of Financial Planning, Feb. 2019

SIGN UP HERE TO GET BOB’S BLOGS

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

CATEGORIES

  • College Financial Services
  • Financial Aid Forms (FAFSA/CSS)
  • Merit Aid
  • Needs-Based Aid
  • Paying for College
  • Saving For College
  • Selecting a College
  • Tax Planning

RECENT POSTS

  • Middle-Class Financial Aid Cuts Coming in 2024
  • FAFSA Changes Force Class of 2022 to Pay More
  • Interview with CollegeVine – Feb 2021
  • Middle-Class Financial Aid Cuts Coming in 2024
  • Why are You are Overpaying for College?

Call for a complimentary consultation (484) 528-0201

bob@collegefundingsolutions.net | Concordville, PA

© 2023 How to Pay for College. All Rights Reserved.
Terms & Conditions Privacy Policy
Cleantalk Pixel
“How to Pay” Definitions

Cost of Attendance (COA) – Includes tuition and fees, room and board, books and supplies.

Merit Scholarship – Grants offered by some (but not all) schools based on student’s incoming grades and/or standardized test scores. Awarded to students in the top ~25% of incoming class.

Needs-Based Grants – Grants (not loans or work study) awarded based on financial need.

Private Scholarships – Scholarship awards that come from sources other than the college.

Total 529 Savings Plan – 529 savings in the parent’s or student’s names only.

Parent Pledged Assets – Any non-529 assets (e.g., savings, investments) that parents have set aside for the student for college.

Parent Pledged Monthly Cash Flow – Annualized amount of monthly cash flow that parents will divert to fund college.

American Opportunity Tax Credit – Maximum annual $2,500 tax credit per student often claimed on parent’s tax return. Income limits apply.

Student Pledged Assets – Student’s savings and/or investments that will go towards college

Student Pledged Monthly Cash Flow – Annualized amounts typically from work study or part-time jobs.

Grandparent and Other help – Amounts paid from 529s, savings, investments, etc of non-immediate family members including grandparents, uncles, aunts, and possibly ex-spouses.

Pre-Approval Amount – Total funds for college other than grants and loans

Funding Gap – Net cost of college less Pre-Approval amount. Typically equal to the total amount of loans that will be needed.

Loans – Federal Direct Student Loans are based on FAFSA filings and awarded through the school. Federal Direct Parent PLUS loans are taken out by the parents. Perkins Loans program has been discontinued as of 2018.

Remaining Funding Gap – Difference between Net Cost and all sources of funding (incl loans).

Contact Us Today for Your Free Consultation

Fill out the form below to request your complimentary consultation.

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.