Your Money, Your Future: Navigating the College Financial Aid Process

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Smart planning today means more choices tomorrow. Join Collegewise on Wednesday, October 15 at 5:00 pm PT/8:00 pm ET for an honest look at how families like yours can approach college costs strategically.

About this Event

College is one of the biggest investments your family will make. Understanding how the financial aid system works can help you make smarter choices and avoid costly mistakes.

Join Ian Parker, expert Collegewise counselor, for a clear, no-nonsense breakdown of how the financial aid system really works, what “merit aid” actually means, and how families can prepare to make smart financial decisions. Ian is known for his candid, practical advice, and he’ll also cover how 529 plans factor into the process.

In this free session, you’ll learn:

  • How the financial aid process works, including key timelines and applications

  • The real cost of college (beyond the sticker price)

  • Trends in merit and need-based aid that impact future applicants

  • How to set a realistic college budget and identify financially sustainable options

Bonus: Stay for a live Q&A with Ian, where you can get your specific questions answered.

 

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Your Speaker

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Ian Parker

Former Master Tutor, The Princeton Review & Collegewise Counselor

As a former Master Tutor at The Princeton Review, Ian Parker brings a deep background in academic coaching and college advising to his work at Collegewise. He holds a B.A. in Economics from Saint Joseph’s University and a teaching credential from California State University Long Beach. As co-lead of Collegewise’s counselor training program, Ian helps uphold the organization’s advising standards and contributes to widely used resources like the Common App Guide and student activities toolkit. Since joining Collegewise, his students have been accepted to over 150 colleges and universities, a reflection of the expertise, care, and individualized support he brings to every family.

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About Collegewise

Since 1999, our team of 100+ counselors has dedicated their expertise to creating a worry-free, effortless college application process for students of all levels. 

Collegewise empowers students academically and relieves parents of their project management duties through our personalized counseling and tutoring programs. 

Say goodbye to application stress and welcome a new, streamlined experience with Collegewise. 

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