National Center For College Planning, LLC

How getting these few things right can make all the difference on a college application Are you familiar with the Pareto’s principle?...

Everything you need to know to see if this new option is right for you An increasing number of colleges are offering a new way to help...

We’ve come a long way as a society in the past 50 years or so. And one of the big reasons we’ve seen so much advancement is due to the...

The truth about the world of private scholarships and financial aid I get a lot of questions about scholarships. People want to know what...

Recently we’ve had another scandal where people have been caught performing illegal activities so that their kids can get into some of...

From time to time I find that I end up having some of the same conversations with my private college planning clients as I do with my...

Think of a person who is THE BEST at what they do… Maybe it’s in sports, or in the music or entertainment industry. Maybe it’s an...

Back in 1930, a lady named Ruth Wakefield made a discovery that’s worth billions today. While making cookies for her guests at the inn...

The road planning for college can be very long and tiring. The colleges know that by the time you’re ready to make a final decision, you...

When I first started planning for college, I realized there were steps that had to be taken to get from a place of being worried about...

One thing you realize about the college planning process once you’re in it is that it takes a very long time to complete everything....

Knowing how colleges close the sale with their best prospects can help you avoid making mistakes and better position you for greater...

As you probably know, there are thousands of colleges in the country and each one is uniquely different in a variety of ways. That’s why...

How a tin can can actually help you make paying for college easier. One of the key questions that I ask people a lot is, “how do you plan...

How to get the best deals for college just by asking for them. Next to purchasing your home, paying for college is often one of the...

When you’re researching colleges, you usually find that there are three main things that drive many of their admission decisions: GPA,...

Which scores to report and whether to report them at all When students are applying to college, they have to report their grades,...

I’ve written several articles recently talking about the financial aid process and this article is going to be about how to master...

How to overcome obstacles and improve your chances of success when it matters most In my last article, I discussed everything you need to...

How to manage your next steps properly and know what to expect in the months ahead When you were in grade school, did you ever write one...

Answering your questions about how much is too much and how to know if you’ve done enough I’ve been getting a lot of questions lately...

Comparing your options so you can make the best choices for your family Everyone knows you’re supposed to save for college and save for...

Everything you need to know about Honors Colleges If you've ever been upgraded for a flight or a hotel room, you know how awesome it is!...

How to breeze your way to getting TONS of FREE MONEY for college In a previous article I discussed the various components that go into...

What you REALLY need to know to avoid making costly mistakes No matter how good a job you’ve done of planning for college, nothing can...

See how you look through the eyes of the financial aid office BEFORE you file for financial aid. Everybody seems to know that financial...

What they are and why you need one You probably haven’t thought about it in a while, but we are definitely living in the digital age....

How to become a more educated consumer when it comes to finding the best deals for college When you’re researching colleges, there are...

Everything you need to know about getting a winning recommendation for your college applications Almost every college application these...

Improve your chances for success by avoiding these common and costly essay mistakes Essays are one of the most important ways students...

Expert essay advice that will help elevate your application to higher levels with ease A good story is one thing, but when that story is...

Which one should you use to get the best results? People ask me all the time if they should apply Early Action and Early Decision. It’s...

Join the growing revolution of parents who are fed up with the high cost of college and who have started learning how to beat the...

Timing is everything, so understand what you're getting (and not getting) when scheduling your summer college campus tours. It’s often...

Using this often overlooked secret can mean the difference in success and failure at the college of your dreams. In my last post I gave...

Using this often overlooked secret can mean the difference in success and failure at the college of your dreams. Have you ever heard of...

The little known way to maximize your scholarships without sharing your personal, private financial information with the college....

Which one gets you the best results when applying for college It’s no secret that college has become super competitive over the last 10...

How to avoid the mistake 87% of people make when making their college list. The college selection process is one of the most difficult...

Most of the time it’s not the “how” but the “who” that makes the difference in a successful college plan. Thanks to google there is very...

Learn practical, proven steps to avoid the student debt trap and get the best result possible for college. For most people the thought of...

5 insider tips for high school seniors that will help you thrive as a new college student If you’re a senior in high school, you’re...

Colleges can keep your hopes up for months, but do you really have a chance of getting accepted by waiting? Under a published series of...

How to connect with the college of your dreams by speaking their language. My wife was visiting my son who was studying abroad in Italy...

Even superheros have to update their tactics in order to stay on top. High school students would be wise to do the same when it comes to...

Studies show most people underestimate the time and effort required to successfully plan for college. Here are 6 proven steps you can use...

Most colleges swear they don't negotiate financial aid awards, but more and more people are successfully calling their bluff - and...

Parents are taking big risks to make college possible for their kids, but will it be enough? I was a financial planner long before I...