1. Do you typically work with
seniors or do you target different grade levels for the College
Costs Estimator service?
Although we do work with seniors because they are so close
to the high school-to-college transition, we actually work with
students at a variety of grade levels. As a matter of fact,
the sooner we can get to students and families the better. By
taking the college cost issue off the table before it
becomes a barrier, students and parents can focus on the other
issues important for student success such as academic preparation
for study after high school, finding programs and schools that "fit" the
students' needs and interests, identifying scholarship opportunities,
etc.
2. Do you find money for students or perform scholarship
matches to help them find money?
No. Murray & Associates is not in the business of "finding
money" for students. Our staff acts as educators
and consultants for families regarding the financial aid process. The
focus is on preparing students and families for what lies ahead
by working with them on how to maximize their financial aid
opportunities under the federal formula, how to approach colleges
in order to get the information they need to know regarding
financial aid and where to find information regarding financial
aid opportunities and scholarships. It's the student's
job to pursue them, but our staff continues to advise and support
them throughout the process.
3. Isn’t this type of service already provided
to students and families through schools?
Typically, no. While there are calculators on the web that
can approximate Expected Family Contributions (EFCs) as well
as guidance and admission counselors who can advise students
on some aspects of financial aid, there are few out there who
have the time and/or ability to work with families in an on-going
way regarding college costs and financial aid or which provide
this kind of customized, early analysis of an individual family’s
situation. By tracking all family contact and all calculations
done for a given family, our staff can analyze a family's unique
needs and circumstances and provide insight and advice suited
to the student's situation now and down the road.
4. Are families at the lower end of the socioeconomic
spectrum the only ones that stand to benefit from such a service?
No! While it is true that middle and upper income families
are often the "hardest hit" under the federal formula,
families across the socioeconomic spectrum stand to benefit
from the College Costs Estimator service. The
program provides all families with important
information on how the formula works and where they stand under
it. Once we know a family's situation under the formula
and have some idea about the colleges and universities they
are considering, we usually can help them anticipate what's
apt to happen and provide them with appropriate strategies and
funding options.
We also provide advice on how to approach the college financial
aid process, the key financial aid questions to ask colleges
and universities across the country and suggestions on where
to look for merit-based scholarship opportunities. Furthermore,
the service gives families access to college costs information
and "financial aid friendly" savings strategies, and
perhaps most importantly...links them to an unbiased financial
aid resource they can use in the months and years ahead as they
continue to have questions or need advice!
5. Would students and families from any state or region
benefit from this service?
Since the analysis is based on the federal formula
used to determine federal need-based financial aid (which is
the same information used by most states and colleges in part
or in whole when it comes to their funding), the rules that
apply and the information provided are relevant to anyone preparing
for college. Parents across the country have major concerns
about how to pay for college, and for many families regardless
of where they live, college costs pose a major barrier to continued
education.
Read more about:
Program Components and
Program
Overview
