Your College Concierge

For high school students getting ready for college, applying for financial aid is often a big step in the process. Applying for financial aid requires filling out forms: the FAFSA and the CSS Profile. What are these forms and how do you fill them out correctly? We will answer this in this episode of the Your College Concierge podcast.

In this episode, we wanted to cover financial aid for college. Financial aid applications begin in October, with many students in the US submitting forms in hopes of getting money for college. However, many families think they won’t qualify due to income levels being to high—and that’s not always the case! Listen in as we discuss this important topic.

In this episode, we wanted to cover financial aid for college. Financial aid applications begin in October, with many students in the US submitting forms in hopes of getting money for college. However, many families think they won’t qualify due to income levels being to high—and that’s not always the case! Listen in as we discuss this important topic.

2.5 million students in the US today are homeschooled. It’s a trend that is growing due to online schools and more parents wanting to offer options or have flexibility for their children. In this episode, we discuss the challenges and opportunities for students that are homeschooled in high school. Listen in to learn what to focus on and how to have the best opportunities when it comes to getting into college.

2.5 million students in the US today are homeschooled. It’s a trend that is growing due to online schools and more parents wanting to offer options or have flexibility for their children. In this episode, we discuss the challenges and opportunities for students that are homeschooled in high school. Listen in to learn what to focus on and how to have the best opportunities when it comes to getting into college.

In this episode, we wanted to cover tips for parents that have teens going back to school. Each year of high school is different, with different goals and expectations. We wanted to help parents understand how to best support their teen in 9th, 10th, 11th or 12th grade.

In this episode, we wanted to cover tips for parents that have teens going back to school. Each year of high school is different, with different goals and expectations. We wanted to help parents understand how to best support their teen in 9th, 10th, 11th or 12th grade.

Free College" and "Loan Forgiveness" are two hot topics that are floating in the media in the US as the 2020 presidential campaign is starting to take off. They sound great, but what do they mean for college students and families with kids that will be in college in the coming years? Peter Ratzan and Carla Holness explain these topics and what they mean in practical terms.

Free College" and "Loan Forgiveness" are two hot topics that are floating in the media in the US as the 2020 presidential campaign is starting to take off. They sound great, but what do they mean for college students and families with kids that will be in college in the coming years? Peter Ratzan and Carla Holness explain these topics and what they mean in practical terms.

The college application essay is something that creates anxiety for a lot of students when they are applying to college. We have some tips (do’s and don’ts) for creating a great essay for a winning application. Listen to this episode and hear some of the most useful suggestions we give to our clients.

The college application essay is something that creates anxiety for a lot of students when they are applying to college. We have some tips (do’s and don’ts) for creating a great essay for a winning application. Listen to this episode and hear some of the most useful suggestions we give to our clients.

In the US over the past few months, there have been several incidences of fraudulent behaviors involving parents of college-bound high schoolers. Recently in the state of Illinois, it was discovered that some upper-middle-class and high-income families had been using strategies to get their children to receive federal financial aid when they otherwise would not have qualified. In our episode today, Carla and Peter review what happened and tips on receiving financial aid, even if you think your family won't qualify due to your income level.

In the US over the past few months, there have been several incidences of fraudulent behaviors involving parents of college-bound high schoolers. Recently in the state of Illinois, it was discovered that some upper-middle-class and high-income families had been using strategies to get their children to receive federal financial aid when they otherwise would not have qualified. In our episode today, Carla and Peter review what happened and tips on receiving financial aid, even if you think your family won't qualify due to your income level.

Recently the College Board made news headlines in the USA with their announcement of the "Adversity Index" that they will be testing with 50 colleges this fall for making college admissions decisions. This means that admissions officers will be taking into consideration additional factors when deciding to admit a student or not. These factors relate to a student's challenges and life situation (rather than grades, extracurricular activities, etc.). It's become a controversial topic that we wanted to discuss to help you learn more about how it might affect your student.

"Bright Futures" is a scholarship for Florida residents, for students that choose to attend Florida colleges and universities. It's popular among the students and families we work with, as many attend the University of Florida and Florida State. Recently changes were made to the requirements for students regarding their SAT test scores. We'll review what the changes were and how they may impact your student if you live in Florida.