DON'T PAY FOR COLLEGE! · GrowGetters ONLY

DON'T PAY FOR COLLEGE!

Is this the most important podcast I've ever done?

I didn’t know you could save tens of thousands of dollars on college just by rejecting the first aid offer and appealing it. After this conversation with Kelly O’Connor, I do. And it changed how I see the whole system.

Here are the biggest insights that every parent should know:

• Colleges are businesses. Tuition is a small slice of their total revenue. They invest in the right students.

• Ignore the sticker price. Target schools where your student is above average. That is where leverage lives.

• Expect a low first offer. It is normal. Do not accept it at face value.

• Appeal the offer. The appeal should come from the student, be kind and specific, and go to the Director of Financial Aid. Yes, this works.

• Know the numbers. EFC was renamed Student Aid Index. The label changed. The math got bigger. Understand your SAI before you negotiate.

• Use data to your advantage. Research average need met and average merit at each school. If they usually meet a large share of need, ask them to meet it for you.

• Package the student. Leadership, service, targeted essays that match what that school values. Be the student they want to “buy.”

• Follow directions exactly. If a school asks for two recommendation letters, send two. Not one. Not four.

Please listen to this conversation with Kelly O’Connor. If you are a parent, you need this for your kid!!!!!

Free resource Kelly mentioned: My Financial Caffeine Webinar. It unlocks his College Money Academy content at no cost. Tell them Ben sent you.https://wealth.financialcaffeine.com/

Lastly, drop your biggest question below and I’ll get Kelly a list of community questions for a follow-up.

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