A College Planner Can Be The Best Investment A Family Can Make

Many families who have attempted to help their child with the college selection and admissions process have felt it was more frustrating than fun. Others have assumed their children would receive the help they needed from the school guidance counselor, only to find that very little assistance was available. Some families have discovered college planners and have been only too happy to turn the job over to them. They realize that a college planner can make a tremendous difference for a student and help the family save money in the end.

College planners are educational consultants who have the expertise to help students find schools that are a good match but are also affordable. They can explain the financial aid process and they know which schools are generous and which ones are not. They understand the college admissions process and how to help students with applications and essays that are effective and will stand out from the crowd. They provide advice that is hard to get anywhere else.

College planners charge reasonable fees and do pro bono work whenever they can. College planning is their specialty and they are not distracted by other responsibilities. Their students are their only concern and the one-on-one attention is something that will benefit every teenager. College planners are members of professional organizations that keep them up-to-date on schools and admission trends. They also visit colleges regularly each year.

Students who do not consider schools other than the local state university may be surprised to find out that the chances of graduating in four years are less than 40%. Sometimes only 60% graduate in six years. That can mean two additional years of paying for college. Parents may also be disappointed in the financial aid and scholarships their student receives, if any. The recession has caused cuts across public school budgets like never before. Families may not realize that an education at a private school could cost less than at a public university.

College planners work with families who see the benefit in their services. They help students to have a variety of schools from which to choose. They assist families in findings ways to pay for college. They provide a valuable link between the student, parents, and high school counselor. Think about what you are going to pay for college. Then consider contacting a college planner. It may be the best investment you ever made.

By: Susie Watts

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To help your student become a stronger college applicant, go to the College Direction website at www.collegedirection.org. Susie Watts has assisted students with their college search, applications and essays, financial aid and scholarships and great college advising for more than twenty years.