“We make too much money or my student is not a superior student. So how can we receive financial aid?” When it comes to getting money for college there are approximately nine different ways to receive money for the cost of college. That can be through the state, the KEES program in Kentucky, outside scholarships, talent, or even work-study programs through the college. There are more than just two ways to pay for college. “My child is not a good ACT/SAT test taker.” Almost 70% of the young people we work with say they struggle and get nervous during the test. The 3 main reasons: Lack of practice, unfamiliarity with the material, and time pressure. The more we can help a student in these areas the more comfortable they will feel and the better they will do. “There are thousands of colleges. How do we build a college list?” We meet with the students and find everything they are looking for in a college including the size, location, major, academic reputation, price, and even how close or far they would like to be from home. By using various criteria we narrow down the list substantially. “How can we get our child motivated to do their college preparation?” This is a tough one! The more a young person can see they will be in college within the next year, the more motivated they seem to become. College visits are a great incentive, allowing them to spend the night at a college, and experience the campus firsthand. Attending college fairs and getting advice from someone besides the parents also helps. “Can college be made more affordable?” Yes, It can be made more affordable by taking advantage of every opportunity available. That’s where it can be tough for students and their families. There is so much information that most parents and students don’t know, and often important opportunities are missed. That’s why the help of a college planner can be so important.