Sending Kids to College

This time of year always takes me back in time as I recall the overwhelming process of preparing my children for college.

Preparing your children for college is an emotional experience to say the least and preparing your bank account is overwhelming. There are applications, and I shudder at the memories of my children picking an average of ten schools to send these to. The paper work, the fear of letting your children go…it is a bigger experience then most of us realize.

The biggest stress I faced, as do many of my clients is the financial aid process. Many of you may feel as I did; Where do I turn, what is available, how do I access aid? For me, I found it difficult to contact the financial aid offices for ten schools. It seemed like an impossible task.

For most of us and as I did, we turn to the High School Counselor. Although our Counselor is amazing and I loved him, he was simply not familiar with the financial aid process. Sound familiar? If so, stick with me, because I learned so much.

The biggest lesson I learned as I walked this Financial Aid Journey was this; There appears to be a great disconnect between colleges and high schools regarding the financial aid process. The information is incongruent and the many dollars out there for parents to access, seem impossible to find, but yet simple to do when you are guided appropriately.

What I longed for was to find an expert in the field who could guide me. Seeing that many parents felt the same way. I decided I would educate myself and become this person to many.

I enrolled in courses at UCLA and studied financial aid. My professor was the financial aid director of Occidental College and an amazing mentor I introduced myself, we had coffee and I told her of my goals to assist, educate and advocate for families who are uncomfortable with the Financial Aid Process. My experience working with my professor was amazing. As the director of Finacial Aide, she took me in, under her wing and I worked side by side with her in the financial aid office at Occidental for 2 years. She taught me everything she knew.

Do you feel overwhelmed by the Financial Aide Process? Are you afraid you simply do not have the money to help your child pursue the college dream? Are you looking for support and direction? That is what I do. I help families find the financial aid support needed. I have developed systems and processes to streamline the clutter of the process and am able to assist you to clearly determine your need. In working with me you will release the stress and clutter of the paperwork and questions allowing you to spend the last years your child is in high school actually appreciating time with them before they go to college

Many families have different unique situations and call me their “go to girl”. I love what I do and enjoy meeting many amazing families with amazing children, who now have the opportunity to follow their dreams and open doors that may never have been unlocked.

If you are sending your child off to college…let’s get together and talk about the process I have been where you are, I know how you feel and I know what you need and how to help!

Tips to Cut College Costs

Back to school for parents of college-age children means its time to examine extra college expenses.

With added costs such as lab fees, recreation fees, computer fees, materials fees and a bus pass, it feels like there are all sorts of fees that get added to tuition.

Here are few tips where you can cut college costs:

1. Room and Board: While some schools require students to live on campus for at least their freshman year, and financial-aid packages could help ease some of the cost of room and board, it’s still worth running the numbers to see if living off campus could be a better deal for at least part of a student’s time at college.
2. Books: Textbooks are the next big drain, with some coming in at close to $200 a book. One tip to save money is look into purchasing a used copy of an older edition of the textbook (always check with your professor first). Another newer option is to rent your textbooks.
3. Technology: A computer is essential to the college experience, but one piece of technology you can save on is a printer. Students may find free printing somewhere on campus, possibly at the library, student union or in classrooms.
4. Transportation: Leave the car at home. Not only will you save on gas, maintenance and parking costs, but you can also cut back on your insurance bills.

When sending kids off to college parents need all the tips they can get to help mange college tuition.

In August

The start of school is right around the corner and for parents of college-age children August is the month I begin to help families with professional preparation, support and navigation of the college financial aid process. College Financial Aid Advisors promotes programs that remove financial barriers in order to ensure student access to post secondary education.

According to the United States Department of Education "the majority of people fill out the FAFSA (Free Application Financial Student Aid) form in such a way that they do not receive all the aid they are eligible for." As the founder of CFAA I am dedicated to guiding you through the process of applying for and establishing financial aid in a manner that is both effortless and precise. I will help you steer through the maze of countless and sometimes confusing financial aid forms. I will ensure your forms are completed properly and submitted in a timely manner.

I have a passion for working with parents to open up educational possibilities for their children. Many parents never dream these opportunities are possible because they think the cost of college is out of reach. By helping parents use and manage college financial aid strategies - from scholarships to work study jobs to student loans - I make it feasible for children to receive the best education regardless of cost.

Who is Jodi Okun?

As a financial aid expert who helps make college more affordable, I work closely with parents and families of students to successfully navigate the financial aid process. My exclusive confidential and personal service not only helps identify grants, loans and scholarships available to students, but also helps submit the multitude of forms associated with obtaining them.

As a parent myself, I know that next to buying a house, planning for college expenses can be one of the biggest financial obligations that families undertake. Four years of college can cost tens of thousands of dollars, and it is increasingly easy to break into the hundreds of thousands range, especially for advanced degrees. I can help students go to the college or university he or she has dreamed about and earned the right to attend.

The True Story of the Independent Student and His Grandpa

This year I was lucky enough to work with a wonderful family, grandpa and grandson. I began working with the family in September the beginning of the student’s senior year. I developed a financial aid time-line in order to make sure his financial aid documents were complete before the due date.

Grandpa was the legal guardian of his grandson for the past 13 years. His love and encouragement to help his grandson go to the college of his dreams will stay with me forever.

On May first the student made his decision to attend University of San Diego for the fall of 2011. This is where the story begins. Together the three of us continued to accomplish the financial aid mandatory checklist required by UCSD. I communicated weekly with the UCSD financial aid office and the family in order to verify the student is independent and in a legal guardianship.

The financial aid office at UCSD is outstanding and did everything they could to help us out. We want to thank them for making a dream come true for a very proud grandpa and his grandson.

In order to be an independent student you must answer “yes” to any of the 13 questions on the FAFSA and you may need documentation to prove your status. Let me know how can I help guide you through the entire financial aid process?

1, 2, 3, My Blog

I am a list girl! Everything I do is a list 1, 2, 3.

Here is the "To do" list for the day..

1. Write a Blog (check)

2. Social Media

3. Financial Aid

4. Connect Social Media and Financial Aid

1. Let's begin with Social Media. I jumped into the pool of social media..did you hear the splash? Twitter, Facebook, Blogger and Hootsuite are the tools that lead me to inspiration, education and encouragement from so many friends. Thank you all for helping!

My first share button experience was a link from SanLuisObispo.com..this is a must read. I even posted their picture on the blog so you can see the pair.

Pair Brings Tutors to the Web Here is the link:

2. Financial Aid this week for my client families included, receiving official financial aid award letters, applying for PLUS Loans and reviewing Student Loan options. Families who have incoming senior students are encouraged to begin exploring the financial aid process and if you have any questions I am here to help!

3. Connecting Social Media with Financial Aid. As we continue our journey together we will navigate the financial aid system with the help of social media.

College Financial Aid Advisors wants to connect with you! How can we help?

March Madness

As students and families await their acceptance letters from colleges they anxiously look forward to the financial aid offer (if they applied for financial aid) letter. While many of you have completed all your forms and applications there is still the scramble of how are we going to get enough money to pay for college. Please keep in mind there are different types of financial aid when reading your award letters. Try to seperate the grants/scholarships (free money), from loans and work study awards. Many schools have different formats for delivering the financial aid news don't hesitate to give colleges a call to help explain the details. And as always I am here to help!