Could an elite private college cost less than an in-state public university? Can a middle-income family still qualify for college financial aid? The sticker price alone can’t answer either question.

In this episode, Brock Jolly, CFP®, talks about why families should compare a college’s net price before removing it from their list. He explains how need-based aid, merit-based scholarships, income, assets, and school-specific formulas can affect what a family may pay. Brock also shares five practical areas to review when comparing public and private colleges, including net price calculators, four-year costs, financial aid renewal, retirement, and plans for other children.

You’ll learn about:

• Why an elite private college may cost less than an in-state public university
• How need-based financial aid differs from merit-based scholarships
• How income, assets, real estate, and business ownership may affect college financial aid
• What to compare when estimating a college’s net price and full four-year cost
• And more!

Resources:

• Student Aid Index Calculator
• College Funding Workshops and Webinars

Connect with Brock Jolly:

• 703-424-2401
• Toll-Free: 800-969-2362
• Veritas Financial
• The College Funding Coach
• LinkedIn: Brock Jolly

Do you make too much money for college financial aid but still worry about paying the full tuition bill? Before you cross an expensive college off the list, do you know what your family might actually pay?

In this episode, Brock Jolly, CFP®, talks about how to pay for college without draining your savings, taking on more student loan debt than necessary, or losing sight of retirement. He explains how financial need, academic merit, the Student Aid Index, asset positioning, and school selection can affect your college funding options. Brock also shares why upper-middle-income and high-income families shouldn’t automatically rule out financial aid, merit scholarships, or private colleges based on the sticker price alone.

You’ll learn about:

• How financial need and academic merit can affect your aid eligibility at each college
• Why the same student may receive very different financial aid offers from different schools
• How upper-middle-income and high-income families can explore merit scholarships
• How to compare a college’s sticker price with your family’s potential net cost
• And more!

Resources:

• College and university Common Data Sets
• Student Aid Index calculation tools

Connect with Brock Jolly:

• 703-424-2401
• Toll-Free: 800-969-2362
• Veritas Financial
• The College Funding Coach
• LinkedIn: Brock Jolly

Can your family afford your child’s dream college without sacrificing retirement? The earlier you understand college costs, financial aid, and your family’s budget, the more options you may have when acceptance letters arrive.

In this episode, Brock Jolly, CFP®, talks about how families can pay for college while protecting their retirement goals. He explains why college admissions, affordability, and student fit should be considered together. Brock also explores how need-based financial aid and merit scholarships affect the actual cost of college, when to start saving, and how to talk with your teenager about building a realistic college list before applications are submitted.

You’ll learn about:

• How to determine whether your family can afford your child’s dream college
• How financial aid and merit scholarships can change what you pay for college
• Why student fit can influence admission and scholarship opportunities
• How to save for college without sacrificing your retirement goals
• And more!

Resources:

• How America Pays for College

Connect with Brock Jolly:

• 703-424-2401
• Toll-Free: 800-969-2362
• Veritas Financial
• The College Funding Coach
• LinkedIn: Brock Jolly