Around this time of year when the weather starts getting nice again, parents tend to catch a disease called “summer fever.” Symptoms include: leaving work early, playing golf, and blowing off every important financial decision until after the summer’s over!
This is usually a big mistake. Panic attacks and nervous episodes start occurring sometime in August as a result. Don’t let this happen to you! Don’t misunderstand me, go out and enjoy your summer. Just don’t forget to start planning for your child’s college education!
Start Visiting Colleges That Your Child Is Interested in Applying To
Do they want a small town or big city environment? Big or small class sizes? Warm or cold weather? These questions can only be answered by visiting the schools, and now is the time to do so – before they apply.
Have Your Child Take a Good Test Preparation Course to Get a Better SAT Score
Superior colleges are becoming more and more competitive. If they receive applications from two students with the exact same grades and similar extra-curricular activities, guess who they’re going to pick? That’s right, higher SAT scores.
Sometimes a higher SAT score can make all the difference between getting into an okay school and a prestigious university.
Start Setting Up Your Income, Assets and Personal Finances to Get the Maximum Amount of Money From Each School
Do you have money saved in your child’s name? Are you planning on putting money into your retirement plan this year? Do you know how much your home is worth according to the financial aid formulas?
If you’re not sure what the answers should be to the above questions, you need to find out! A simple mistake could easily cost you thousands in lost financial aid.
Don’t Procrastinate
This is the most important point on the entire checklist. If you let “summer fever” take over and decide to put off doing anything until “after the summer’s over,” you’re going to lose a lot of money!
Financial aid is awarded based on the current tax year. Therefore, it is imperative that you start your planning now!
Don’t make the same mistake that most parents make by putting this planning off until another time. The time to do something is right now!
If you want to learn how to get your child into the college of their choice without using all your savings or sacrificing your retirement, attend one of our free workshops in Santa Clarita Valley.
Brian Safdari is a Certified College Planner with offices located at 28494 Westinghouse Place, Suite 206 in Valencia. For more information, please call 661-295-9946 or visit www.collegeplanningexperts.com for a free consultation.