On another note, 
have you explored StudentAid.com? It's a great tool, helping you understand what the price of college will be before you decide where to apply. A college education is one of the only things I can think of where price is discussed last.
have you explored StudentAid.com? It's a great tool, helping you understand what the price of college will be before you decide where to apply. A college education is one of the only things I can think of where price is discussed last. Here's what Mary said about StudentAid:
Now that high school seniors met January deadlines for most college applications, high school counselors are turning their attention to juniors, who are getting ready to spend winter break visiting campuses and researching where to go and how to pay for college.
The recession and hikes in college prices make the biggest issue finding affordable colleges. Until now, students and parents have not had the advantage other consumers have when shopping for anything – the knowledge of where they can get best deal.
A new service – StudentAid.com’s College Cost & Planning Report(TM) – for the first time calculates an individual’s student aid at any of 6,500 colleges – BEFORE the student actually applies. Each personalized report calculates and compares aid eligibility and out-of-pocket cost for as many as 10 colleges at a time. Organizations such as Veterans Advantage (see today’s announcement below), the Financial Planning Association, and the Independent Educational Consultants Organization endorse this new service because it provides college cost transparency for the first time.
This college planning service is FREE to all low-income students (household incomes of less than $40,000 – like the Pell Grants)? Others pay $49 - $99 depending on the service they choose.
Knowing out-of-pocket cost (the “net price” of college) is now essential to college planning. Federal law mandates all colleges post a net price calculator on their Web sites by October 2011, and many are doing that now. StudentAid.com’s College Cost & Planning Report(TM) provides personalized and accurate net price comparisons, saving parents and students time and money in their search for affordable colleges.
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Press Release Follows:
Veterans Advantage and StudentAid.com Partner
To Help Members and their Children Find Affordable Colleges
Sacramento, CA – January 13, 2010 – Responding to the college-affordability crisis, Veterans Advantage today announced a partnership with StudentAid.com that provides members a personalized planning tool, which determines financial aid eligibility and net prices to help them find the best education deal. StudentAid.com also will sponsor a $1,000 Veterans Advantage college scholarship.
“Families need to know ahead of time which colleges will offer the best economic and academic fit before students apply so they can make smart choices that don’t burden them with debt,” said Craig V. Carroll, founder and chief executive officer of StudentAid.com.
StudentAid.com’s breakthrough service takes into account each high school student’s academic and financial circumstances to accurately calculate and compare aid eligibility and net prices for as many as 10 colleges of their choice at a time. StudentAid.com uses the latest federal and state aid formulas as well as college aid information to ensure accuracy.
Each personalized College Cost & Planning(TM) report:
• Assesses a student’s eligibility for more than $100 billion of student aid
• Evaluates each individual’s out-of-pocket costs at more than 6,500 colleges
• Provides detailed comparative data on college choices so students may easily compare colleges
Reports are customized for Veterans Advantage and available to its members and their children at a special discount.
“We endorse StudentAid.com’s innovation because it eliminates financial guesswork and helps families make well-informed decisions about how to plan and pay for college,” said Scott Higgins, founder of Veterans Advantage.
Each custom report not only assesses personal costs, but also provides specific information about grants and tax credits as well as detailed college profiles and a planning timeline to make researching and choosing affordable colleges easier.
Veterans Advantage members may access StudentAid.com’s easy online, self-serve method on a Veterans Advantage-branded Web site, or use an advisor-assisted telephone service.
Details about how Veterans Advantage members’ children may apply for StudentAid.com’s college scholarship will be available early in 2010.
About Veterans Advantage
Veterans Advantage is a leading nationwide card membership program delivering new recognition and rewards for U.S. Military Veterans, Active Duty Military, Retired Military, Active and Retired National Guard & Reservists, and their family members. The card membership program provides respect, recognition and rewards through special offers and money-saving benefits as a thank you for service to the country. All who qualify are encouraged to try a 30-day trial at http://www.veteransadvantage.com.
About StudentAid.com
StudentAid.com, Inc. provides the first personalized, side-by-side comparison of the net costs of college and student aid eligibility to help students and their families choose colleges that fit their career goals and bank account, years before applying. StudentAid.com is a private company headquartered in Sacramento, CA. http://www.studentaid.com/?cm_mmc=PR-_-Content-_-c1-_-l1
