Financial Aid Workshop | SAT / ACT Prep

I've gotten a lot of flack online about a free report I wrote called How to Hide Your Money from the Financial Aid Office, Legally and Ethically.

The criticism falls into two categories, broadly speaking.  Either 1. "This guy's a scam artist, or 2. It's not fair to help families who don't deserve it.

I don't know how to respond to the first argument, except to point out that I've been calling myself Long Island's Greatest Unindicted College Advisor since the "Varsity Blues" scandal of 2019.

Re:  helping the "wrong" families, that's a different kettle of fish.  My responses:

*I honestly don't see what's wrong with helping families who lived under their means and acted responsibly to save for college, who wake up at the 11th hour and realize that they've been punished by the financial aid formulas for this otherwise admirable behavior

*Helping these families get more financial aid and scholarships doesn't take...

The Wall Street Journal said it best:

In financial aid, it's not how much you've saved, but where (paraphrasing).

The rules that dictate how much -- or how little -- you'll receive in college financial assistance are complicated and unfair to many who lived below their means and learn, too late, that they'll be penalized for their responsible behavior.

If that sounds like you, I recommend that you turn into our newest online class this coming Wednesday, September 18, called How to Slash College Costs by 56.1%...even if you think "No way!  Families like us NEVER qualify for any financial assistance."

One of the key topics I'll cover is that WSJ notion of "where," not "how much."  

Specifically, which types of savings accounts penalize you (reduce your eligibility) more than other types...

...and which are completely penalty-free.

In addition to strategies to get more cash for college, I'll go over at least 10 mistakes families make in the financial aid...

With annual college costs in excess of $90,000 and 50% of student loans in default, there's a big, big sleeping elephant in the room.

If you're the parent of a teen headed to college in 2025 or beyond, the more you learn about how to win scholarships and financial aid, the better...

...so that you can comfortably afford tuition for all of your children without scrimping your lifestyle, plundering your retirement savings or selling a vital organ. :)

Next Wednesday, September 18, we're running a brand new financial aid and scholarships "secrets" workshop, called How to Slash College Costs by 56.1%...even if you think "No way!  Families like us NEVER qualify for any financial assistance."

There's no charge to attend and nothing to purchase.

And you will DEFINITELY not hear these strategies at your high school's BS "college night" or the next college fair you attend, where the speaker is probably employed by a local college. 

Yeah, HE will tell you how to get more money...

Good morning!

We're hitting the airwaves this morning -- 10:00am EST --  for College Coffee Talk, our live show about college admissions and financial aid news that you can use!  

Here's what's on tap for today:

What financial aid options are available for affluent families?

Plus, the latest (crappy) updates on the FAFSApocalypse, and how they'll affect financial aid this coming year.

Tune In!

Grab a cup of joe and we'll see you at 10am EST (recorded if you can't make it)

- Andy Lockwood

Free SAT or ACT Class Promo 

Good morning - two quickie announcements.

1. A Few Financial Aid and Essay Faux Pas - Live at 10 AM

Join me and Pearl for our weekly program, College Coffee Talk, live on our Facebook page.

Today's topic:  

A Few Financial Aid and Essay Faux Pas

2. FREE SAT or ACT Class Promo Expires Today

Announcing:  a free, no-obligation "test drive" of ANY of our upcoming SAT or ACT prep classes, either in-person or online.  Here's how it works:

1. Check out our schedule in July and August.

2. Pick the class you want to sample, for free.

3. After the class, our head tutor, Marissa will offer our absolute best deal we can give and still keep the lights on and landlord happy.  This is a one-time, "exploding" offer that expires 24 hours after class.

4. There is no obligation or pressure to buy anything, just the forthcoming incentive to enroll with us.

Enrollment expires at 5pm today.  I'm not sure we'll try this...

Tutoring | Workshop

We're having a problem with tomorrow's in-office workshop:  out of the 25 people registered, we've gotten confirms for only eight.   So I have no idea who's coming to our office (not a webinar) tomorrow night.

If you're the parent of a 9th, 10th or 11th grader, I'd like to invite you to come to our brand spanking new office.  I'll do whatever it takes to make room for you.  

I'll even give you a gift for coming, a copy of one of my latest books.    Maybe I'll even sign It for you!   Ooooo!

 Here's the syllabus for tomorrow's class (in office, not a webinar):

*The inconvenient truth about what it takes -- beyond solid grades and near-perfect SATs, "passion projects" and other nonsense -- to get accepted to a top college today (WARNING:  Not "Politically Correct")

*Financial Aid "Loopholes" - how to legally "hide" your money from the financial aid office

*How to avoid Admissions...

Top of the morning!  

I'll be quicker than a Maryland felony gun charge jury today, because I know you're busy.

I just talked the lovely Pearl Lockwood into offering a Fast  -- Early -- Action bonus for anyone enrolled in our Get College Ready Bootcamp that runs all summer:

FREE preparation of your FAFSA!

(That's the financial aid application required by all colleges.)

This past year's "simplified" FAFSA overhaul and rollout was anything but simplified...

It was one giant pile of horse poop.  So much so that the bureaucrat in charge, Richard Cordray, lost his job over it.

I hope and pray that next year's FAFSA isn't beset by the same or new problems, or "glitches" as the Department of Education called them.  But I wouldn't bet the farm on it.

That's why this Early Action bonus is so valuable - you'll avoid costly mistakes, and save time and stress by having the Financial Aid Warrior herself, Pearl Lockwood, in your corner, walking you through all...

Good morning!

We're hitting the airwaves this morning -- 10:00am EST --  for College Coffee Talk, our live show about college admissions and financial aid news that you can use!  

Here's what's on tap for today:

Pearl describes yet even more, frustrating FAFSA glitches (unreported);  and

Child behavior we'd like to change (PSA)

Tune In!

Grab a cup of joe and we'll see you at 10am EST (recorded if you can't make it)

- Andy Lockwood

P.S.  Class of 2025 Rising Seniors:  We have 5 spots left for our 10th annual Get College Ready Summer Bootcamp.  

If you don't want to be the one screaming at and threatening your child all summer to get their essays and applications done, the bootcamp is exactly what the doctor ordered.  Here's the page that describes it all.

GET 10% OFF

Coupon code BOOT-10 or BOOT-10EZ for the one-pay and payment plan options before we sell out.

LockwoodCollegepPep.com/bootcamp

Good morning!

We're hitting the airwaves this morning  with college cost-cutting news you can use -- 10:00am EST --  for College Coffee Talk, our live show about all things college admissions and financial aid!  

Here's what's on tap for today:  

"Hidden" College Costs and How to Defend Yourself

This episode is worth thousands of dollars, even though it's free!  Here's where to join us...

Tune In!

Grab a cup of joe and we'll see you at 10am EST (recorded if you can't make it). 

Feel free to pass this invitation along as you see fit.

- Andy Lockwood

Good morning!

We're hitting the airwaves this morning -- 10:00am EST --  for College Coffee Talk, our live show about college admissions and financial aid news that you can use!  

Pearl is away on special assignment, so I will do my best to pick up the slack. Today's show topics:

Oddball FAFSA fails and a new grounds for appealing your award. Plus, what's the deal with the parent "Brag Sheet?"

Tune In!

Grab a cup of joe and I'll see you at 10am EST (recorded if you can't make it)

- Andy Lockwood