College and using a financial advisor

**ubumartin** · 07-09-2007, 08:56 PM

A friend had recommended a financial advisor to us to talk to before our 2 oldest go to college next year. He charged us 25.00 for the initial consultation and he literally saved us thousands of dollars. We will be having him fill out their financial aid forms and that will probably cost us about 100.00 but from what he has already done for us it is a bargain. I am already having nightmares about them going to college and then two years later we will have another one going.

**emily_hope** · 07-09-2007, 10:01 PM

I am having nightmares about my DD18 going to college. All this stuff is so new. Good for you for seeing the financial advisor. I am sure it has taken a load off of your shoulders.

**jamie79** · 07-09-2007, 11:29 PM

I am there right now. Ods leaves on Aug 21. This stuff is like reading Greek

**Darlene** · 07-10-2007, 07:22 AM

Glad you went Nancy!

Hope you can take advantage of scholarships, grants etc. If your 3rd hasn't already, it really helps get extra $$ from things if your dd is involved in many things (volunteer, sports etc) & gets good grades. They (colleges) love well rounded kids and are more likely to give them incentives (money) to pick their schools. You probably know all this but maybe someone reading doesn't. Oh also take any prep courses they can to get a good grade on SAT's.
Scary but exciting times ahead. They pick out schools yet? Does MA help parents with cost?

**ubumartin** · 07-10-2007, 08:17 PM

Originally Posted by Darlene

Glad you went Nancy!

Hope you can take advantage of scholarships, grants etc. If your 3rd hasn't already, it really helps get extra $$ from things if your dd is involved in many things (volunteer, sports etc) & gets good grades. They (colleges) love well rounded kids and are more likely to give them incentives (money) to pick their schools. You probably know all this but maybe someone reading doesn't. Oh also take any prep courses they can to get a good grade on SAT's.
Scary but exciting times ahead. They pick out schools yet? Does MA help parents with cost?

What type of scholarships, grants were you able to get? Any help would be appreciated.

**Early Bird** · 07-10-2007, 09:40 PM

Sounds smart.

**jamie79** · 07-10-2007, 11:09 PM

Grants do not transfer from state to state so if you kid is going to college in another state then he or she can not get grants from the state you live in OR from the state the college is in because they are not residents of that state.
Please look at your local scholarships too and apply for everything. Ods's college will cost $13,000 a year. August he will be a freshman. He was awarded $8,750 in scholarships.

**mom2matty** · 07-10-2007, 11:16 PM

Smart idea on the financial planner!!

My dd will be starting her Jr. year in college this fall and one of the smartest things we did before she started her first year of college.......and biggest help we got was going to the university and meeting with not only the financial advisor but with her student advisor. They were able to give us so much information we didn't get anywhere else. They deal with this stuff every single day! Take advantage of every avenue you can, meet with anyone that might be able to offer advice and take any information you can get!!

Good luck to all of you!!