Financial Aid Coach

Financial Aid Coach acts as an advocate for families as they navigate the world of financial aid. Our goals are to take the stress and confusion out of the process and help families maximize their financial aid eligibility.

Navigating families through the financial aid process

Services Blaine Blontz Offers

DETERMINE THE COST OF COLLEGE

While preparing for the cost of college, most families only have the total cost, or sticker price, of the school for planning purposes. The closer a family is to college, the more they have the ability to estimate costs specific to their household. We help families estimate college costs specific to their family based on their financial profile and the award history of the schools considered.

MAXIMIZE FINANCIAL AID ELIGIBILITY

Once we generate a report based on the family’s financial aid information we are able to provide recommendations on how they can maximize financial aid eligibility. Through this process, we let families know how their household size, income and assets and financial vehicles will impact financial aid, and what opportunities they have to improve their eligibility.

SCHOLARSHIP OVERVIEW

Once a list of schools considered is provided, we generate a list of school-specific scholarships, along with descriptions of the scholarships, application requirements and deadlines.

REVIEW & COMPLETE FINANCIAL AID APPLICATIONS

The CSS Profile is a financial aid form required by roughly 400 private schools, while the FAFSA is a form that all schools providing federal financial aid require families to complete. We can review prior to submission or actually help in the completion of this form as needed.

REVIEW AWARD LETTERS & HELP NEGOTIATE ADDITIONAL AID

Award letters can be confusing. We review the awards extended by schools so families can understand exactly what they are being offered. There are opportunities to increase financial aid awards received by simply going through the process of asking for additional aid. We walk families through this process, providing them with what to say and who to say it to.

REVIEW FINANCING & PAYMENT PLAN OPTIONS

Once award amounts are received and accepted, the next question is often how to fund the remaining balance. We walk families through the available options, including college loans, alternative loans and payment plans.

ORGANIZE STUDENT LOANS AND REPAYMENT

On average, graduates are coming out of school with over $20,000 of student debt. In addition, students and families can come out of college with several different types of loans and lenders they are to begin repaying. We guide students and families through this process, helping them organize their accounts and prepare for repayment. Depending on the type of loan, there may be opportunities for reduced payments, deferments or forgiveness programs.

Bringing Peace of Mind To Your College Planning

Blaine Blontz Founder & Lead Consultant
Prior to founding Financial Aid Coach, Blaine worked in the financial aid industry as a counselor for students and families for several years at schools including Millersville University, where he completed a degree in education, and La Salle University, where he graduated with his MBA in Finance. In his capacity as a financial aid counselor, Blaine was able to learn the ins and outs of financial aid first-hand. He has developed a network of resources in financial aid, but also in other areas involving the college planning process, including applying to college, tutoring and test prep, college athletic recruiting and more. Given his background and network of resources, Blaine can help families navigate the college planning process, helping lessen the anxiety of preparing for college and connecting them with other great resources in the field.

Blaine has comprehensive experience with college financial counseling. He knows the ins and outs ofobtaining money through conventional and less traditional means. His organized, structured approachto helping families takes away the angst caused by having to navigate a ‘foreign’ and difficult process.
Blaine was very attentive. He first spent quite a long time speaking with me on the phone to gather information about what we need and where we were in the process. He then met with us in person for over an hour. This was one of the most productive hours we have ever spent. Blaine spelled out exactly what we needed to do, step by step and paper by paper.
Aside from the obvious help that Blaine provides, he is a nice, kind, easy person to deal with, who really understands how upsetting this part of college can be for families.

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