Hi folks!
My name is Mo Dyson and I am so excited to introduce myself and let you all know that I am Collegewise’s first Financial Aid Consultant! Collegewise has been a trusted partner for students and families navigating the college admissions process for almost 25 years. Our services range from academic tutoring and test preparation, to helping prepare students to apply for first-year admissions and assisting undergraduates with transferring to different colleges. In our 24th year we are pleased to add financial aid to our list of services!
If you have seen my bio, you’ll know that my background as a Financial Aid Consultant who started as a university financial aid counselor has given me nearly 5 years of knowledge and expertise to guide students from all over the world through the financial aid application process.
When working with students and families, my goal is to help families understand financial fit, maximize the potential for your student to access scholarships and grants, explore external scholarship options, decipher financial aid offer letters, and provide you with the necessary tools to navigate the financial aid landscape throughout your time at undergraduate school.
Some examples of the tools I use and recommend:
- Exercises I created which are designed to assist students with the financial aid side of making a school list
- The MyIntuition Calculator
- The Department of Education’s Net Price Calculator
- Sites like TuitionFit and
- uAspire for financial aid letter analysis and public “how-to” resources
Quite often, families ask me questions like, "How will my investments affect my student's financial aid?" or "Is there anything I can do to lower my family contribution?" Unfortunately, since I'm not a wealth management advisor or financial planner, it wouldn't be ethical for me to give personalized answers to those questions. But, if you're looking for answers, I highly recommend reaching out to a trusted accountant or financial planner who specializes in college financial aid regulations. They'll be able to provide you with expert advice and help you make the best choices for your financial well-being.
Questions we can answer and would love to help you with:
- “What is financial aid and how does it work?”
- “When do I start applying for financial aid?”
- “Is there an income cutoff for FAFSA?”
- “If I get financial aid, do I have to pay it back?”
- “Can I access in-state tuition if I live out-of-state?”
- “What is a regional tuition exchange and how can it help me?”
- “What information does the FAFSA request?”
- “What is Verification and what happens if I’m selected during the financial aid app process?”
- “How do I ask the financial aid office for more money?”
- “How do I actually get my financial aid money?”
- “What is the most common type of financial aid?”
At Collegewise, we understand that navigating the world of financial aid can be overwhelming. That's why I’m here to demystify the process, equip you with knowledge, and provide personalized assistance to ensure your family can access the resources you need to pursue your educational goals.
If you’re already part of Collegewise, and want to explore Financial Aid Services to see if they’re right for you, please let your Program Advisor or Admission Counselor know!
For folks who are seeing our blog for the first time, if you have any questions or want to learn more about our services, please visit our home page.
That said, I’m excited about the possibility of working with you all and helping you navigate the financial aid landscape with confidence and ease!
More soon,
Mo
About Us: With more than twenty years of experience, Collegewise counselors and tutors are at the forefront of the ever-evolving admissions landscape. Our work has always centered on you: the student. And just like we’ve always done, we look for ways for you to be your best self - whether it’s in the classroom, in your applications or in the right-fit college environment. Our range of tools include counseling, test prep, academic tutoring, and essay management, all with the support of our proprietary platform, leading to a 4x higher than average admissions rates.
