Financial Aid

C. Claire Law teaches online classes at the University of California-Irvine on College Financial Aid. She worked for ten years in college admission and financial aid. She worked for a SallieMae Education Lender. Having worked on the other side of the fence, she’s now an advocate for students and families who need to find colleges that fit the student’s needs and are affordable.
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Knowing what is expected of you will give you the best possible chance to maximize your financial aid from government, state and college sources. That is why Claire is your ongoing personal contact to guide you through the financial aid process at colleges that fit your student’s educational needs and fit your budget.

2.	Tuition costs are like airline tickets. Not everyone pays the same price. Unfortunately, parents don’t know what they will pay until it’s too late to explore other college options. This is why Claire is here to help you choose good colleges for you that also are good value for the money.

3.	Your student’s admissions profile drives the financial aid package your family will receive. Claire saves you thousands by directing your student to the right colleges that fit his/her academic, social and emotional needs.

If colleges expect your family to come up with a certain amount of money (Expected Family Contribution + Gap) you need to know what is your Affordable Family Contribution (AFC). Claire helps you to examine your options not through rose colored glasses but in a realistic way, so that you will be prepared to keep your student in college for all four years.

5.	Admission to the right college can save your family thousands! Navigate the financial aid maze with Claire. This will increase the likelihood that your student will experience success in college, graduate on time and save costs incurred due to changing majors, transferring and dropping out.

6.	In today’s fast changing financial aid landscape you will be the best informed family. Claire will tell you what to look for in sources as www.FAFSA.ed.gov; www.FAFSA4caster.ed.gov; net-price calculators, http://iped.ed.gov, http://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/ and more.

Financial aid awards are part of the marketing communication of colleges. It’s not easy to decipher financial aid award letters and compare one to the another objectively. Most students don’t figure out what exactly will be the debt burden upon graduation. With Claire’s guidance you will know each cost/value proposition that each college offers you so you can take the most advantageous path for you.