| How do they do it? Have you ever wondered why some middle
and higher income families are able to pay close to nothing for college education?
Well show you the answer. Understanding the financial aid system and how to present
your student and family information is the key to receiving financial aid. Many families
have been told that they make too much money to get financial help for school and yet
nothing could be further from the truth. Through effective strategies and techniques,
thousands of families learn how to send their student to their school of choice!
What about my counselor or the college financial aid office?
Our high school has a "financial aid night" where representatives from
colleges and universities show us how to file the financial aid forms. Isnt this an
accurate way to get the most aid? The answer is an emphatic NO! The U.S. Department of
Education office of Student Financial Assistance warns, "Dont rely on the
schools representative for all your information-you may be talking to a counselor
who is paid for every student enrolled. Keep in mind, the schools job is to get parents
and students to pay the most money for school and it is not their job to teach us how to
get "FREE MONEY" that most schools have available. Techniques like "early
decision" efforts to get us to make a commitment before we even know what the school
will do for us are an effort to keep the seat full. College is Big Business. Just think of
the amount of mail and brochures you may have received. Dont make mistakes that can
cost you thousands when there are ways to get quality education at private, public and out
of state schools often for less than your local or community college.
Can I really get More money?
Most families can double or even triple their eligibility for financial aid if they
just follow the little known strategies available to get FREE MONEY. Were not
talking about "private" scholarship searches or lists. These sources deliver
less than 1% of the average funding needed for college. In the U.S. Department of
Education publication Looking for Student Aid states "Dont be
fooled by the claim that millions of dollars of student aid go unclaimed every year. The
large figures you may hear or read about usually represent an estimated national total of
employee benefits or member benefits". If you hear the words scholarship and guaranteed
in the same sentence, be very cautious. Grades and achievements earn scholarships and
companies who offer guaranteed scholarships should raise a red flag.
But my family cant afford it, can they?
We meet thousands of students each year that feel they cannot attend college because of
the costs. Do you know which public or private colleges will invest the most in your
education? Billions of dollars are offered by colleges and universities to attract the
students they want. We know which ones will give the best financial package with more FREE
money and fewer loans! Why spend your time applying to schools that will not help you when
there are dozens of schools that will. Join thousands of parents and students who have
learned how "The Power of Working Together" can make your college and
career preparation dreams come true.
When should I start this process?
Just like a good Certified Public Accountant can minimize tax liability by knowing the
system, we can show you how to set up your financial situation in a way that is most
favorable. Dont wait until the last minute and end up with loans or, even worse,
going to the WRONG school because you think that is all you can afford.
Does this really work?
Here is what our members say . . .
"We received over $19,000 as a result of our participation in the CIRCLE OF
NEIGHBORS program. I had been told we make too much money to qualify for help. . . NOT
SO."
Jennifer W. - Lewiston, ID
"I thought our high school counselor would help us through the financial aid maze.
Unfortunately, too many students and not enough time is what he faced. The Power of
Working Together guide and TOLL FREE HOTLINE taught us step by step what we could
do to supplement what he could do to help us. Working together worked best for
us."
William K. - Denver, CO
"With my older son Jason, who was already in college, I had to borrow from my 401K
to pay in-state college costs. Since we joined the program, we got Katie into the private
school she wanted, and got money for Jason we should have received in the first
place. As a single parent, I really appreciate the time and efforts of the CIRCLE OF
NEIGHBORS staff. We couldnt have done it without them."
Donna P. - Waco, TX
"The FAFSA (Free Application For Federal Student Aid) form was a nightmare. They
sent it back to us four times and we were ready to give up. The FAFSA completion guide got
us PELL GRANT money that opened the door to many choices of colleges for my students. We
got our value from that one service alone. Our family contribution went from over $10,000
per year to less than $2,000!"
David L., CLU - Omaha, NE
"Ive had dozens of clients call on me to complete their financial aid forms
each year. I usually suggest the school help them. After seeing what they did for our
student Kent, I realize that a college cannot be as objective as a family really
needs. I now refer my clients to CIRCLE OF NEIGHBORS so they can find out what strategies
will lower their EFC (Expected Family Contribution). I wish I would have known about this
program years ago."
Jose G., CPA - Albuquerque, NM
"Our oldest daughter, Michelle, was told by her school we would do fine on our own
financially, because she was a 4.0 GPA student. Five years and $27,600 in student loan
debt later, we will not make the same mistakes with our next three students. Our family
membership to CIRCLE OF NEIGHBORS has put our younger student years ahead of her peers, as
we know how much this process really requires. Dont wait, like we did, to learn the
hard way. Its never too early to prepare for one of the most important parental
responsibilities."
Cindy and Bill M. Bellevue, WA
"As a Real Estate Broker, I would never consider recommending the major purchase
of a home without professional advice. College education for our family will cost more
than our home. We cant afford to take chances with these important choices when it
means our childrens future. To avoid these chances, we counsel with CIRCLE OF
NEIGHBORS "
Dennis T., CRB - Phoenix, AZ
Circle of Neighbors is a community service organization dedicated to higher education
through the philosophy of neighbor helping neighbor. You may apply for assistance by calling toll free to
1-800-743-4731. |