How to make college happen in 2025 and beyond

Making College Happen (Third Edition) helps readers overcome the challenges of making decisions from one's heart to one's head. It is not just for students but for parents, grandparents, educators, financial professionals, wealthy relatives, and anyone who wants you or them to succeed.

Albert Einstein said, "The value of a college education is not learning many facts but the training of the mind to think." I‘m not Einstein, but I will add that higher education is a foundation for creative thinking and bold ideas required by an evolving society.

Making College Happen utilizes the acronyms YES and NO to bring positive energy to readers. YES stands for Your Expected Success, and NO stands for New Opportunities.” Beyond a traditional four-year college, these opportunities include community colleges, online degrees, the military, state schools, trade schools, entrepreneurship, taking over the family business, and employer-paid tuition plans.

The FAFSA form used to apply for federal financial aid was not intended to create angst. It is simply a ticket to enter the competition for financial assistance. Sure, there is uncertainty about how much monetary relief it will generate. Still, there are many other sources to complete the puzzle. Explore savings, installment payment plans, federal and private loans, merit-based and other scholarships, Pell Grants, 529 plans, 401(k) and 403(b) borrowing options, equity loans, and encouraging students to work and save.

My career path took me through corporate management and public sector responsibilities, but there was a void. Not wanting others to define my future or stifle my creativity and independence, I created Financial Aid Consulting to help future generations make the right choice.

Here are some of the highlights of Making College Happen. It will introduce you to many topics shared during consulting sessions. It is honest, sincere, and sprinkled with some fun. Here is a sampling of topics:

• Advice from accountants, financial planners, and family law attorneys - Form a team that can impact the FAFSA based on assets, marital status, and funding sources. Family counselors can also be helpful if family communication and focus break down. Financial aid consultants like me help with forms, award analysis, financial management, and appeal letters and can advise clients about other resources when needed.

• Family meetings - Encouraged to discuss careers, costs, borrowing, finance responsibilities, due diligence for college selection, and college visit preparation to stay on the same track. It is often disheartening when a student is accepted before a family recognizes they cannot afford the expense. Also, remember that plumbers, electricians, and other professionals can be paid more than college grads (if parents are open-minded).

• Campus tours -- Making College Happen provides a roadmap for navigating the visit, including what to do, what to ask and observe, and with whom to meet. Sadly, many students focus on aesthetics and the social scene without delving into the curriculum and career opportunities offered.

• Investment options, loan criteria, and how to calculate net costs over several years are explained. Examples of evaluating the quality of a financial aid award and whether to appeal it are also provided. However, the neediest families with minimal assets and low incomes may be eligible for grants and scholarships.

• Loans are not the same - Making College Happen discusses the differences between governmental and private loans, calculators, repayment options, forgiveness, and questions to ask each lender. It includes tax relief and repayment options.

• Scholarships are not just awarded—It takes work to get them. This chapter presents creative ideas and resources for earning attainable scholarships that are not commonly published. It also encourages creativity, internet searches, and networking.

• After graduation - Finally, there’s a discussion on how to seek employment to put a college education to work successfully. Remember to find your purpose, not just a passion. Be optimistic about new opportunities and the expected success that will happen.

Making College Happen (Third Edition) by Howard Freedman is available on Amazon.com or ordered from local booksellers.