Coach for College Helps Your Family Pay for College Without Going Broke

What to do. Why to do it. When to do it. Reduce College Costs

PDF Icon for Coach for College

Text of Video Content for Reading

One to One Coaching- Get the Answers You Deserve – Veritas for College™

“Best Practice” answers from a Certified College Planner to the right questions for your family’s individual situation can result in a “Celebration” rather than a stressful situation wondering if you could have done better.

Does this interest you? Special EFC Tune UP™ Pricing Click ImageLower Your EFC Number EFC Tune-Up Course

  • Eliminate Costly Mistakes
  • Save Time, Reduce Debt – Old and New
  • Reduce Unnecessary Out-of-Pocket Expenses
  • Coach For College Can Be Your Solution!

“The Only Failure Is The Failure To Engage”!

Books Stack Reading Investment In Financial Education Pays Best Interest

What Is The Purpose Of This Coaching Program?

In working together, we can accomplish these three core objectives;

  • Students Choose Dream College™
  • Parents Achieve Financial Clarity™
  • Families Experience College Success™

Going to College is complex and there are many strategies to consider.

We focus on an efficient learning delivery system, a change in “mindset”, a Veritas for College™ approach.

  • Knowledge
  • Process
  • Execution

High College Costs Makes It a Necessity to Graduate in 4 Years, Not 5 – 6 Years

Graduation rates in four years are terrible because many times there are no career goals and major selections prior to going to college, or there is a change (sometimes that can’t be helped). But, when the student “buys in” during high school chances are much higher that graduation will result in a 4 year diploma.

What Why Where How When Student Timeline

The above information represents some of the key “tasks” that should be addressed or dismissed when planning to go to college.

However, Coach for College not only addresses planning for college bound issues but we go way deeper in helping your overall financial situation so you can afford to go to college.

Here are some examples of concepts that can be covered based upon your family financial situation and objectives. Of course, not all will apply to you but many can and will be addressed when you join Coach for College.

Education Tax Relief Can Improve Your Cash Flow, Pay off Debt, Pay for College

  • HOPE – American Opportunity Tax Credit
  • Lifetime Learning Credit
  • Student Loan Interest Deduction
  • Tuition and Fee Deduction Strategies
  • What is a Qualified Expense?
  • Scholarships and Fellowships…When are they Taxable?
  • Coverdell Educational Savings Accounts (“CESA”)
  • Qualified Tuition Plan
  • Student Loan Interested Deduction
  • Penalty Free IRA Withdrawals
  • Section 127 Tuition Assistance Plans
  • Section 105 Medical Reimbursement Plans
  • EE Bonds
  • Above The Line Education Deductions
  • Small Business Owner Strategies
  • Harvest Tax Losses
  • Tax Advantaged Income Generators

Certified College Planner Tips, Tricks, and Traps

  • Basic ways to increase financial aid and some “advanced” ways
  • Timing is everything, coaching helps you not miss deadlines
  • Which Colleges will give you the most money?
  • What is affordable for your family?
  • Personal debt is your enemy, software  Borrow Smart Repay Smart™ provides borrowing clarity
  • Spend student money now / auto, computer, etc.
  • Defer Grandparents’ Gifts for education until Junior year or upon graduation
  • Saving money in student’s name is a mistake
  • Delay Income if possible, Primary Driver of EFC Calculation
  • Avoid capital gains
  • Plan Early if Possible, Watch Retirement Plans!

Student Positioning for Merit Aid / Scholarships / Admissions

  • 10+ Major Criteria for Merit Aid / College Free Money
  • Academic Strategies During High School / Identify What Your Target List of Colleges are Looking For!
  • College Credit for “Discounted Dollars” – AP / IBC / What About CLEP? Match Your Schools

Financial Projections And Reality, Data Input, Output Solutions

  • “Need Met” of Colleges – There’s a basic misunderstanding, private schools can be more affordable than public!
  • Calculation of “Short Fall” – Don’t wait until you get your “Damage Report”, be Proactive, Get a Plan of Action.
  • Paying for the “Short Fall” – What to do before your College Bill arrives.
  • Merit Aid / Scholarship Search / Positioning…It’s about some effort, millions go unclaimed each year.
  • Student Resources, this is not about money. Each student has a unique “offering” to the “right school”.
  • Career Strategies…Why are you going to College? Let’s have a reason, a plan, and motivation for success.

College Visitation Do You Have A Plan…What About Your “Memory Hook” Strategy?

  • Student Personality versus College Personality
  • Where to visit?
  • What to ask – Questionnaires with Ranking Criteria
  • Minimum Visitation – Admissions, Financial Aid Office, Career Placement Office, Optional: Faculty, Athletic Department, Current Student/s
  • Ranking the Colleges or are you making a common mistake?

Saving For College If You Have Time?

  • 529 Plans…Earnings “Can Be Taxable” – “Double Dipping”
  • Government Bonds
  • UGMA & UTMA
  • Coverdell ESA Plans
  • Why Permanent Life Insurance,  Is it right for you?
  • Annuities, How They Work in the EFC Formula
  • IRA / Roth IRA
  • Tax Capacity / Income Shifting

Student Positioning  - “Think Like A PR Agency” or Get Lost When They “Shuffle the Folders”

Colleges operate a “Big Businesses”, they are in the marketing and sales business FIRST, then the education business.

They convey a public image for a reason, they want to attract students who meet their acceptable profile and then become competitive towards the offers they make  to “positioned students” who meet their profile. We will understand their effort, and use it to our advantage just like when you interview for a job. Did you prepare?

This fact allows them to remain competitive among their peers. By doing so, they can and do continue to raise the costs they charge.

Students who understand this, and provide the colleges with not only what they are looking for, but also in a unique way that demonstrates “sincere interest” will usually receive acceptance with the best offers.

Student Positioning is really establishing the student as the owner of their own small business, “Student PR Agency” and positioning themselves for college free money.

A professional looking Student Portfolio should accompany your applications when possible.

Jim Kuhner, Certified College Planner, can be reached at 817-600-0576.

Email:  jimkuhner@CollegeSelectionStrategy.com