College funding specialists

[Anonymous]

I keep getting Facebook ads for some college funding specialist company that advises parents with HHI >$200K. Can anyone who is familiar with these please tell me what their gimmick is so that I don't have to listen to their webinar? I'm assuming it's things like applying to slightly lower schools for merit aid and things of that ilk. Thanks.

[Anonymous]

It's probably ways to park your assets so they don't count against you. For example, your primary home isn't counted. You should sink your resources in an expensive reno or buy a huge estate. Or start a collection of Stradivarius violins, or have a stable of Ferraris, because what you put in your house is counted either.

Or get divorced! This was jokingly suggested by one specialist I went to hear.

Anyway. I don't want to do any of those things, so full pay with merit it is.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I keep getting Facebook ads for some college funding specialist company that advises parents with HHI >$200K. Can anyone who is familiar with these please tell me what their gimmick is so that I don't have to listen to their webinar? I'm assuming it's things like applying to slightly lower schools for merit aid and things of that ilk. Thanks.

There is no amount of asset hiding that will work if you have a w2 income over 200k. It only works if you own a business or are in a position to adjust your compensation structure to lower your income

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I keep getting Facebook ads for some college funding specialist company that advises parents with HHI >$200K. Can anyone who is familiar with these please tell me what their gimmick is so that I don't have to listen to their webinar? I'm assuming it's things like applying to slightly lower schools for merit aid and things of that ilk. Thanks.

There is no amount of asset hiding that will work if you have a w2 income over 200k. It only works if you own a business or are in a position to adjust your compensation structure to lower your income

This. they want your money. Any college counselor can tell you 1) save save and save; 2) run the NPCs and take a screenshot in case the result you get doesn't match; 3) most people reading this should assume they are going to get nothing from FAFSA/CSS and proceed accordingly; 4) file the FAFSA so at least your kids can take out the unsubsidized federal loans; 5) Look at Parent Plus loans; 6) ask grandparents; 7) do not raid retirement; but 8) refinance if you have a lot of equity in your home.