It's weird the way colleges decide how to award scholarships and other aid:

There's no "magic" income number.

Sure, there are a handful of exceptions, mostly from elite private colleges who claim to give full tuition to families earning 150K, 180K and even 200K.

But you have to GET INTO these elite, rarified air colleges to be in the running for the cashola.

What about the other 98% of colleges?

If you were nerdy enough (ahem) to read through the financial aid rules and regulations, websites and handbooks for college aid information, looking for an income "ceiling" or cut off number, your search would be fruitless.  Because there are 70+ other factors that go into the Double Secret Formula in addition to Adjusted Gross Income.

In our 22+ years of advising, we've had a handful clients earning more than 300K qualify for substantial amounts of need-based aid.

We've also seen those with 50K in income get zilch.

I can 'splain all that to you tomorrow afternoon.  I'm running a short ...

Shari was thrilled for her daughter:  she got into her Dream School last week!  Her hard work in high school paid off!

A few days later, the financial aid award came.  Not good.

"They expect us to pay HOW MUCH!?" she silently screamed, so her husband wouldn't hear her.  "How am I going to tell Scott?".

I made up the names but not the scenario.   Too many families get through the college acceptance process, only to THEN -- months later -- turn their attention to how they're going to PAY for college.

Sadly, thousands of families open up their college award notices, only to be slapped in the face by the (lack of) offer.

Even sadder, this unsavory result was easily avoidable.

Thursday afternoon, I'm running a short online workshop so that you don't find yourself in this pickle next year, wondering "Where's the beef" after your son or daughter manages to get into the college they've been lusting after.  Here's a short list of what I'll be covering:

• How to legally "hide" your money
...

"She just doesn't 'stand out.'"

"Are my extracurriculars good enough to get into an Ivy?"

"What should he be doing now?"

Common, near-daily questions we get around here in the salt mines of Lockwood College Prep. 

Good news!  

If you have a 9-11th grader and have any of these, or related questions, I've got a little somethin-somethin for you: 

A ticket to my brand new, online workshop this coming Sunday evening, The College Application Edge System.  It's free, there's nothing to buy, and you will discover how to:

• Recognize the school that will position your child for the 40 year success goal, not merely the four
• Interrupt the application, college essay, and extracurricular activities to stand out to the admissions committee with more than the same old, same old typical activities that everyone else does
• Secure tens of thousands scholarships even if you think you can't possibly qualify for financial aid
• Enjoy seeing your child flourish not just in college...but...

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 the description of today's episode:

Don't Be THAT mom!  College consultants share their observations on Early Application Season, how to cope and what NOT to do :)

Tune In!

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

- Andy Lockwood

Hey now, I'm about to go live on tonight's webinar, (partially) titled, How to Slash College Costs by 56.1%...even if you think you can't possibly qualify for anything.

Do you find that description to be as snazzy and eye-catching as I do? 

Even if you don't, I have good news, you can still come join us!  Click the pumpkin-colored button below and you'll be whisked over to the webinar dungeon...

ATTEND!

See you soon!.

- Count Andrew Von Lockwuud

Undead College Advisor

P.S.  Here's the short list of tonight's topics:

*The new, not improved financial aid formula and how it affects your eligibility for aid (esp. if you have more than one kid in college, own a business or are divorced/divorcing)

*How to negotiate with a college after it's so-called "final" award

*How to legally "hide" your savings from the prying eyes of the Department of Education and your college financial aid offices

*More, including your questions, 'cause we'll be live (and somehow, undead) in the chat!...

Last year's release of the "simplified" FAFSA was scarier than The Exorcist and Rosemary's Baby wrapped together. 

This year, it might be worse.

If one of more of your Children of the Night is headed to college in the next year or three and you're deathly afraid of monstrous college tuition bills, we're putting together a little webinar tomorrow, October 29th to rescue you from a fate worse than death.

Here are all the gory details:

Learn more...

The short version is that I will walk you through all of the pitfalls and traps that lie waiting for you in the financial aid process, worse than anything that goes bump in the night.  Topics include:

*How to "Hide" Your Savings From the Hobgoblins in the Financial Aid Office

*Negotiation Secrets:  How to Squeeze an Extra $30,022 From the Financial Aid Office, After It's So-Called "Final" Offer

*The 529:  Friend or Foe?  Good or Evil?

More, including your questions.  We'll be live -- yet undead -- in the chat!

Here's where to go...

If one or more of your Children of the Night is headed to college in the next couple of years...

...and you're just now learning how much you'll have to shell out in tuition, I've got good news:

You're NOT starring in your own horror movie. 

Tonight, we'll show you how to navigate the financial aid process so that you can comfortably afford college, without scrimping on your lifestyle or racking up tens of thousands -- or hundreds of thousands -- of dollars in debt (that was my personal nightmare,  between college and law school).

Pearl and have assembled a little webinar just for you tonight, to discover the "dark arts" of financial aid.  Here's what's brewing:

*The new, not improved financial aid formula and how it affects your eligibility for aid (esp. if you have more than one kid in college, own a business or are divorced/divorcing)

*How to negotiate with a college after it's so-called "final" award

*How to legally "hide" your savings from the prying eyes of the Department ...

From the desk of Renfield
Personal assistant to Count Andrew Von Fafsala Lockwuud 

Hello. I don’t have much time so I’ll cut to the chase while Count Von Fafsala and Countess Pearlticia are slumbering in their coffins. The sun will set shortly and I’ll be busy tending to their gruesome needs..

Let me be brutally honest:  I didn’t see your name (or even your soul) on the list of victims, um, “people” signing up for the $304.50 off Financial Aid Consulting promo that ended at midnight last night, and I was shocked!  And not in the good way.

But come a little closer, so I can whisper something in your ear (sorry in advance about the insect breath):

I can still get you in for the same deal that expired yesterday.  All you have to do is sign up before the Count and Countess rise again, and nobody gets hurt.  

The Lockwuuds won’t know anything about my evil scheme, so they won’t punish me (which is a bit disappointing, in a way) for sending you this note.

Here’s the secret trap door l...

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:

Does applying Early Decision or Early Action hurt your chances of financial aid and scholarships?

Tune In!

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

- Andy Lockwood

Financial Aid Workshop 

I'll keep this quick like a bunny because we're all busy and I don't know if I'll do this again this year.   

We're hitting their airwaves with our online class, How to Slash College Costs by 56.1%..Even if you think you can't possibly qualify,  tonight, 7:30pm EST.

Here's where to go, hope you can make it!

LIVE WORKSHOP

- Andy "Not Quite Ready for Prime Time" Lockwood

P.S.  Reminder of tonight's topics: 

*How to "hide" your money from the financial aid office, legally and ethically

*How to negotiate a scholarship or financial aid award

*How high income and ultra affluent families can qualify for tuition discounts of 25%, 33% or even 56.1%, guilt-free

*10 deadly, self-inflicted financial aid mistakes overwhelmed families make before they apply to college (and how to avoid them)

*The disappointing state of last year's "Simplified"  (HAH!) FAFSA rollout and now to cope with more delays and mistakes that seem inevitable this year

*Special tips for bu...