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How Can I Help Students With Financial Aid?

Helping students and families with financial aid is a big part of college counseling. Our experts have some advice on how to help them through the process.

Charlotte M. Klaar, PhDCharlotte M. Klaar, PhD
Director
Klaar College Consulting LLC
I offer basic financial aid advice and point the family in the direction of colleges that are notoriously generous with merit aid. In addition, I give the family a report that shows which scholarships the student might be eligible for at the colleges to which he or she is applying.

CX experts generic imageHeather Johnson
Educational Consultant
I keep financial issues in mind for families who are interested in merit- or need-based aid. I will let them know of the availability of financial aid at each of their schools, and I try to help match students well to merit-based schools so that they will be recipients of scholarship money. I point them to websites but do not get into finances with families, only guide them. 

Sandra E. CliftonSandra E. Clifton
Educational Consultant for Social & Emotional Learning
Clifton Corner: An Academic Coaching Center
To be honest, one of the best ways to get financial aid is to apply to schools that have never had an applicant like you before—including from your particular town and/or geographical region. Colleges are attracted to students who lend multiple layers of diversity to their campus, so going off the “beaten path” from your peers’ typical choices is a good way to attract funds.

You can find a ton of great resources to help your students understand their college finances in our Financial Aid section.

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Western Washington University

Bellingham, WA