online course

Financial Aid Fundamentals and Guide to Building a College List

This comprehensive course provides an in-depth introduction to the financial aid process and how to build a college list based on financial fit. Learn the difference between financial aid and merit aid, which types of aid colleges offer, and what colleges to target based on your personal situation. You will be shown how to use a variety of free resources to guide you through the process.

  • Use the promo code FAFSA to access this course at no cost

course syllabus

  • Financial Aid v. Merit Aid

  • FAFSA

  • CSS Profile

  • Self-Assessment

  • Types of Colleges & Cost of Attendance

  • Colleges’ Commitment to Meeting Need

  • Determining Financial Fit

  • Building your List

  • Additional Merit Aid Information

  • Additional Affordability Considerations

  • Understanding and Comparing Award Letters

This instant-access, self-paced, step-by-step course is broken into modules so you can learn at your own pace.

Slides, links to resources, and financial aid templates are provided.

The total duration is approximately 2 hours.

Financial Aid Fundamentals and Guide to Building a College List
$97.00
One time

✓ 2 hours of instruction
✓ Unlimited lifetime access

Are you…..?

  • …overwhelmed by the idea of starting the college planning process?

  • …confused about where to start?

  • …worried about affording college?

  • …wondering how to find the right school for your student?

Then this is the course for you. 

"This is an intimidating and hard process, so I appreciate all the time and effort you have put into this class to help teach us."

•

"I really appreciate the variety of resources provided and your advice on how to take a holistic approach to college applications."

•

"Quite honestly I am feeling so much better equipped to tackle college selection. Thank you!!

•

"I didn't know how little I knew about financial aid and admissions!"

"This is an intimidating and hard process, so I appreciate all the time and effort you have put into this class to help teach us." • "I really appreciate the variety of resources provided and your advice on how to take a holistic approach to college applications." • "Quite honestly I am feeling so much better equipped to tackle college selection. Thank you!! • "I didn't know how little I knew about financial aid and admissions!"

course benefits

Just a few of the benefits parents and students receive from taking this course:

•Feel more prepared for the college application process

•Develop a strategy for building a college list 

•Identify college options to choose from

•Gain confidence in understanding financial aid and merit aid

Parents and students who take this course say they feel more prepared going into the college application process after taking this class.

is the course effective?

Absolutely! This course is designed as a comprehensive course in understanding financial aid and building a college list. It will equip you with the basics of how finances may impact the college list ensuring you feel prepared and confident as you guide your student through this process.

is it up to date?

Yes! The information provided is up-to-date and relevant to the current college admissions landscape. You'll learn about the latest financial aid options, merit aid, and how to identify colleges that are a good fit for your student both academically and financially.

what will i gain?

This course provides a thorough overview of the financial aid landscape. You'll learn:

•The differences between financial aid and merit aid

•Which types of aid colleges offer

•How to target colleges based on your personal situation

•How to use free resources to guide you through the process of building a college list

"This class was amazing!"

•

"Your depth of knowledge and the amount of resources you are aware of and shared are awesome."

•

"This class is amazing and super helpful! I'll save it all and revisit it as needed. Lots to think about. Thanks for all your work... you clearly have done your college 'homework!' Much appreciated!"

•

"Thank you so much for all the helpful information. This is an intimidating and hard process, so I appreciate all the time and effort you have put into this class to help teach us."

"This class was amazing!" • "Your depth of knowledge and the amount of resources you are aware of and shared are awesome." • "This class is amazing and super helpful! I'll save it all and revisit it as needed. Lots to think about. Thanks for all your work... you clearly have done your college 'homework!' Much appreciated!" • "Thank you so much for all the helpful information. This is an intimidating and hard process, so I appreciate all the time and effort you have put into this class to help teach us."