Better Off After College: A Guide to Paying for College with More Aid and Less Debt

by Sabrina Manville, Nick Ducoff

Overview

A step by step guide for families who want to enjoy all of the benefits of a college degree - with less anxiety and student debt. 

Every parent knows that sending their child to college can provide life-changing opportunities. But every day students graduate with too much debt, starting their adult lives with a heavy financial burden. 

You don't need to pay all cash for college.

You don't need to scrounge for rock-bottom prices to avoid debt at any cost.

You can make great choices at every step of the way to lower your costs and maximize your investment.

Written by two higher education experts, this step-by-step guide provides clear explanations and insider tips for how families can make smart savings decisions, maximize their financial and merit aid, and avoid over-borrowing.

We'll help you:

• Make smart savings decisions
• Build a college list that gets you the most financial and merit aid possible
• Figure out how much student debt is too much, and what colleges are actually worth the money
• Have productive and positive conversations around the kitchen table about this major financial decision

Make the right moves now and be better off after college.

Product Details

BN ID:	2940163846580
Publisher:	Sabrina Manville
Publication date:	01/28/2020
Sold by:	Draft2Digital
Format:	eBook
File size:	291 KB

About the Author

Sabrina is the cofounder and COO of Edmit and the coauthor of "Better Off After College." She was previously an AVP at Southern New Hampshire University, where she led marketing for the award-winning College for America program. Sabrina has worked with leading higher education institutions throughout her career, with experience in the non-profit, corporate, and technology and publishing sectors. She has an MBA from Stanford University and a BA in Religious Studies from Yale University.

Nick Ducoff is the cofounder and CEO of Edmit and the coauthor of "Better Off After College". He was previously Northeastern University's Vice President for New Ventures. At Northeastern, Nick launched the first university bootcamp which was recognized as an exemplar innovation by the U.S. Department of Education. Nick has been invited to White House convenings for his work at Northeastern and Edmit, and his articles have appeared in the Washington Post, Barron's, CNBC, and Money. He earned his JD, with Honors, at the University of Texas at Austin, and his BBA at Emory University's Goizueta Business School. He lives in Newton, MA with his wife and two children.

Table of Contents

Introduction

The Big Picture

College Sticker Price – and Why It Doesn’t Matter

How to Reduce Your Price

Is College Always Worth It?

How To Increase Your College ROI

Chapter One - Pre-High School: Saving

How Much to Save How to Save for College

Chapter Two - Early High School: Preparing for the Process

Types of College Costs

Types of Financial Aid

“Need-Based” vs. “Merit-Based” Financial Aid

Applying for Financial Aid

How Financial Need is Calculated

Other Circumstances That Affect Financial Aid

Can I Reduce My Expected Family Contribution?

Setting Financial Expectations with Your Child

Chapter Three - Junior Year: Refining Your List

How Financial Need-Based Aid Is Calculated

Merit-Based Financial Aid (Scholarships)

Financial Aid at Different Types of Colleges

How to Estimate Your Costs for Specific Colleges

Chapter Four - Senior Year I: Applying

Understanding Your Budget and Setting Expectations

Who Should Apply for Financial Aid?

Finalizing Your College List

How to Apply for Financial Aid

Chapter Five - Senior Year II: Deciding

Understanding Your Costs

Financial Aid Appeals

Filling Your Gap

Signing on the Dotted Line

Chapter Six - During College: Staying on Track

Keeping Your Financial Aid

Budgeting for College

Working During College

Editorial Reviews

“College costs can be blinding. This is THE guide to college finance that every prospective student and parent should read so they can make a better-informed decision as they choose where and when to apply and where to attend.”

Michael B. Horn, Coauthor, Choosing College

“Let’s face it, understanding and navigating the world of college financial aid is nearly impossible for most people. Better Off After College is the much needed road map for anxious families trying to sort through the nomenclature, technical details, complexities, and myths and misconceptions that are rife in the world of financial aid. There is still a lot to digest, but the authors bring clarity and common sense to one of the most important financial decisions that students and their families will make.”

Dr. Paul LeBlanc, President, Southern New Hampshire University

“An excellent practical guide that demystifies the cost of college and the complex and nuanced financial aid process.”

Dr. Philomena V. Mantella, President, Grand Valley State University

“Attending college is still one of the very best economic investments an individual can make—but today this decision is higher-stakes than in years past, and requires more analysis. Better Off After College is a useful and practical guide for students, parents, and families looking to understand this process.”

Dr. Sean Gallagher, Executive Professor of Educational Policy, Northeastern University

“As any parent who has sent a child to college can attest, financial aid is very complicated. Although there's no single solution that will work for everyone, Better Off After College addresses financial aid and broader issues around education finance with practical advice to help families make better decisions about how to choose a college and how to fund that choice.”

Stephen M. Smith, Cofounder, Naviance

“As a parent and former provost I understand the many hurdles and pitfalls that come with college finances. This book is a much needed primer for parents and students that will help families work their way through the many aspects of paying for college. In a time when student debt is continuing to grow, this book is more important than ever, and will become a useful reference for everyone working with students and families, from college counselors to admissions staff. I will be giving copies of this book to all of the families in the college bound programs I work with.”

Dr. Terri Givens, Founder and CEO, The Center for Higher Education Leadership

From the Publisher