Finding the right college is about balance

A recent guest column written by a North High School student in The Denver Post recently caught my eye and helps to capture one of the critical decisions students face when deciding on college.

 

In her article, she compares two opinions shared with her colleagues about paying for college. The first opinion is that money and the ability to pay for college should not be a factor in a student’s decision. The second is that cost should absolutely be a consideration when determining what school to attend. To her credit, she found truth in both these statements.

 

When I meet with my clients, my goal is finding the right college that best meets the family’s budget. While investment into a college degree will typically pay dividends in the form of future higher earning potential, families shouldn’t have to sacrifice their current lifestyle, go broke or saddle both the parents and the student with a lifetime of debt.

 

I’ve spent over a decade helping parents and students bridge the divide between the right college and the right price. The challenge is that the path to and through the best college is rarely the same. The advantage that I bring is that I work with families to map out and guide students on the best path and negotiate the best financial aid package available for each of the targeted schools.

 

The author of this opinion piece is correct that students and families should collect as much information as possible. But, it also helps to have an experienced navigator with them along the way.