Apr 02

Paying for College: Working Together to Avoid Heartbreak

Every year, we hear the same heart-breaking stories from parents, many of whom have never connected with Capstone Wealth Partners before. Their senior high school student is making the final decision about where to go to college. They are shocked by the prices of the schools who accepted their child,... read more →

April 2, 2021
Joe Messinger, CFP®
College, College Planning, Financial Planning

Mar 26

Choosing a College: Weighing the Return on Education

We often hear the words "return on investment." We use those words ourselves all the time. When you invest, you expect a certain return or increase in the value of the amount you invested over a period of time. College should be viewed in the same way. Your family is... read more →

Mar 19

Why Reaching Out to a College Planning Advisor with Financial Aid Appeals is a Good Idea

Negotiation is an art. Lawyers negotiate contracts, deals, and settlements on behalf of their clients, real estate agents negotiate housing prices for hopeful homeowners, business professionals negotiate the price of products and services to keep their doors open. Negotiation is a major player in nearly every aspect of modern society,... read more →

Mar 12

A Quick Guide To The Financial Aid Appeals Process

You can amend your financial aid package based on your student’s application or a change in your family’s situation. How? Through the appeal process. A financial aid appeal is a request for additional aid, a more lucrative offer, or a higher grant amount often spurred by a change in family... read more →

Mar 05

Appealing the Financial Aid Award Letter

Last week, we took a look at the financial aid award letter received by seniors each year in mid-February. You need to understand the fine print of the award letter in order to make an informed decision about the best college and how much it will cost them for all... read more →

Feb 26

Having the College Money Talk with Your Child

We hear these stories every day. Mom, Dad, and high school junior visit a college. Junior is thrilled with the school--loves everything about it. Mom and Dad discover too late what it will cost them. The result? Either devastation for the student told by his parents that he can’t go... read more →

Feb 19

A Dollar Saved for College Beats a Dollar Borrowed for College

Most parents have a goal of avoiding student loans for their college-bound children. However, what they don't realize is that saving money in advance in a 529 Plan can help them to offset the cost of college by growing their savings in an interest-free account. 529 plans provide a tax-friendly... read more →

Feb 12

How to Pay for College with Loans – Being a Smart Borrower

Families often wonder how to pay for college with loans. It's tough to know how to make smart decisions that will positively impact both your future and your child's. According to StudentLoanHero.com in 2017, Americans owe $1.44 trillion in student loan debt with 44.2 million borrowers. Those are some staggering... read more →

Jan 29

Choosing a College: 3 Key Affordability Questions to Ask

The United States is home to approximately 5,300 colleges and universities. Having that many schools to choose from can be both a blessing and a curse. Yes, every student can find just the right fit for them, but on the flip side, a student can become overwhelmed by the sheer... read more →

Jan 22

Searching for the Unicorn University: The Perfect College for Your Child

Did you know no actual mythological stories exist about the unicorn? “The truth is, unlike almost every single other mythical creature, the unicorn does not appear anywhere in any culture's actual mythology.”¹ Was it possible this creature actually existed? And what the heck does this have to do with college?... read more →