AZCollegePlanning

We make college affordable, AZCollegePlanning.com

Company Overview: AZ College Consulting, LLC dba AZCollegePlanning.com, our objective is to make college affordable through strategic planning and financial strategies for all college bound students of Maricopa County and surrounding areas. AZCollegePlanning.com is Arizona’s premier college planning firm.

Reason for service

Find the right colleges. There are specific strategies that can be employed and will drastically reduce the cost of college for a family. Certain colleges are looking for specific types of students. A college may not always be looking for the highest GPA or best athlete. It could simply be because the student is an Arizona resident. By positioning the student at these specific colleges, the likelihood of some form of a scholarship is greatly increased.

Graduate in four years. Statistics at ASU, NAU and U of A show more and more students are taking 6 years to graduate. (University of Arizona’s six-year graduation rate is 57%. While less than 32% of the students graduate in 4 years at ASU. NAU shows that last year’s six year graduation rate was 48% and this year it is 53%.) Two primary reasons for extending the graduation timeline:

Students are vacillating between majors

Deciding that the college does not offer what they want resulting in dropping out or transferring to a different college.

This is evident from the retention ratio. (69% retention rate at NAU, 79% at U of A, and 80% at ASU) Compare those numbers to Davidson College in NC which has a 92% four year graduation rate.

Cost of college

Is cheaper really cheaper? We had a client who applied to NAU and Lake Forest College. Lake Forest College (after our strategic input) offered Frank $32,000 of free scholarship money (a combination of need based aid and merit aid). NAU offered Frank nothing. So the $13,000 cost to attend Lake Forest College was very attractive, while the $19,000 cost at NAU was not. Each college and every student is unique. There are 153 different strategies that can be employed to adjust the cost of college and bring it within acceptable lifestyle and budget needs.

Service Overview

Our service is an extension of the high school guidance department, not a replacement. Our service focuses on career and college selection. By solidifying career choices through our database program and individual guidance, the child’s four year graduation ratio greatly increases. We meet with the student on an individual basis to discuss career and college. We discuss retention ratios, admittance ratios, gender ratio, in-state out-of-state stats and how to leverage these things for a greater admissions percentage.

For the parents of these future college students we discuss legal and ethical strategies on how to qualify for more financial aid. We provide, for the parents, multiple scenarios to pay their share of college as well as providing financial plans. An up-to-date College Financial Aid Planning Report is compiled from federal and institutional statistics outlining the cost breakdown for each college on the child’s list. With this information the parents will know beforehand what their obligation will be so that a proper college financial plan can be implemented.

Lastly, an answer key is generated for the FAFSA and CSS Profile financial aid forms for each family. No guessing what to put and where. If a family elects to, we will fill out financial aid forms on their behalf.

History

Since our inception we have helped over 600 families navigate the college planning process. We are registered with the Better Business Bureau as well as partnering with local community organizations.

Who we are not:

We are not affiliated with any college, university or other accredited institution. We have no interest other than to make sure you receive the most aid that you are entitled too and that your child selects the best college for him/her.