- Q: What does the College Planning Center do?
- A: In short, we help families pay for college as efficiently and stress-free as possible. We help them figure out how the college bills are going to be paid, target schools that will help them maximize their available financial aid and we help them get through the college years confidently and securely.
- Q: When and where are your workshops?
- A: We conduct workshops at local schools, libraries and businesses to teach the community about the ins and outs of the college financial aid system. They are conducted year-round. For the most up-to-date list, please see our “Workshops” page. To set up a workshop for your school’s families or your employees, please email us at support@collegeplanningofpa.com.
- Q: I paid for college myself. Can’t my kids do the same?
- A: When calculating a family’s need, schools will look at the family’s financial picture and take that into account, regardless of your desire to pay for school. With average 4-year college costs ranging from $60,000 up to $200,000 and more, students are looking at an almost-insurmountable debt load without parental assistance.
- Q: To receive financial aid, isn’t it just a matter of filling out the financial aid forms and hearing back from the schools?
- A: Many of the financial aid forms submitted to colleges go in with errors or inconsistencies. So it isn’t simply a matter of filling out the forms. It’s a matter of filling out the forms correctly, the first time, and submitting them to schools that will be generous with their financial aid award package.
- Q: Don’t all schools award financial aid the same way?
- A: Each school awards financial aid differently. Some schools will cover all of your need, while some will only cover part. It’s vital that families understand this, and equally vital that families know which schools will step up and meet their financial need.
