My Student Got Offered Over $1 Million In Scholarships From 10 Different Universities: Here’s The Exact Strategy I Used To Get Her There.
Most parents find getting their teen into their dream college challenging without paying the hefty premium, but it doesn't have to be.
These stories never get old…
One of my coaching students recently achieved something extraordinary—over $1 million in scholarships from 10 universities.
Over the past 18 years, I've used my proprietary triple C (Clark College Consulting) Framework and my "Heart and the Calculator" process to empower families to navigate the complexities of college admissions effectively while saving thousands in college costs.
Today, I will show you exactly how it's done. In today's overcrowded high schools, counselors can't guide your child through that tedious, detailed process in the way they need to get ahead.
Navigating the college admission and financial aid process can be daunting.
When a student of mine bagged over $1 million in scholarships from 10 different universities, it wasn't just luck—it was a clear, calculated strategy.
Every parent and student dreams of snagging that golden ticket of scholarships that covers college costs, but the journey there is often shrouded in mystery.
How do some students manage to turn their college applications into scholarship gold mines while others struggle?
Today, I'm pulling back the curtain to show you the steps we took to achieve this incredible success.
In this article, you will learn:
- The College Success Formula
- Identify Scholarships to Pursue
- Select Colleges that Match Your Qualifications
Let's dive into the strategy that made $1 million in scholarships a reality for my students and how you can apply these lessons to achieve similar success.
Still, with the right strategy and support, your teen can get accepted into their dream college and secure significant scholarships, easing the financial burden of higher education.
This article isn't just about celebrating success—it's about showing you how it's possible.
STEP#1: College Success Formula (CSF) = Academic + Social + Financial Fit
(If you don't follow the CSF… You're Setting Your Child Up For Failure)
College Success Formula (CSF) = Academic + Social + Financial Fit
Identifying a personalized college list that matches the student's academic promise, social perspective, and the family's savings and college budget.
Finding the right college fit for your teen is pivotal and should balance social, academic, and financial factors.
If you get this wrong, you might jeopardize your child's chances of success.
- Socially, the ideal college will offer an environment where your teen feels welcomed and connected, contributing positively to their mental health and personal development.
- Academically, the school should align with their career goals and learning style, offering programs that will challenge and engage them at an appropriate level.
- Financially, the institution should be viable without imposing undue financial strain on your family, considering tuition, available scholarships, and aid packages. Ensuring a good fit in these three areas enhances your teen's college experience and maximizes their chances of success during their university years and subsequent careers. This holistic approach to selecting a college helps secure a rewarding and sustainable pathway, making the extensive preparation worthwhile.
The price of attending traditional four-year colleges has surged...
is the "College Crisis" as bad as it is claimed?
As tuition rates continue to soar, the financial strain on families intensifies, revealing a deepening college affordability crisis. Here's a closer look at the current landscape of college costs and its impact on students and their families, sourced from SallieMae.com and the Wall Street Journal:
- Rising Costs Are Hitting Parent's Pocketbooks HARD: Some private colleges and universities have recently announced staggering annual tuition fees exceeding $90,000. This trend reflects a broader expense surge across traditional four-year institutions, pushing many to reconsider the value of a college degree.
- Out-of-Pocket Family Contributions are Staggering: 83% of families paid out-of-pocket for part of their college expenses last year. 70% relied on their current income, while 35% liquidated savings and investment accounts. Alarmingly, 14% of families even tapped into retirement funds—a risky financial move that could have long-term consequences.
- Crippling Student Loan Debt: The burden of student loans continues to escalate, with an estimated $100 billion in new loans expected to be issued in 2024, up from $98 billion the previous year. Upon graduation, the average student faces nearly $30,000 in debt, complicating financial independence post-college.
- Job Market & Employment Challenges: The job market remains tough for college graduates, with more than half finding positions that do not utilize their degrees. This underemployment highlights the mismatch between education and job market needs, questioning the traditional path's return on investment.
U.S. News & World Report found that tuition and fees at private national universities have jumped by about 132%, and out-of-state tuition and fees at public National Universities have risen by about 127%.
This alarming data underscores the need for prospective students and their families to consider their higher education choices carefully. Exploring all available options, including community colleges, trade schools, and apprenticeships, is essential, as it can offer more sustainable paths to career success without the burden of excessive debt.
Are Scholarships Worth the Hassle?
Scholarships do more than alleviate the financial burden of higher education—they open doors to new opportunities and enrich the college experience.
- A well-funded education allows students to focus on their studies and participate in extracurricular activities without financial constraints.
- Beyond the immediate economic relief, scholarships often have prestige that can enhance a student's resume and make them more attractive to future employers and graduate schools.
- Real-world impacts are profound; students with scholarships can afford to select colleges based on fit rather than cost, engage more deeply in campus life, and graduate with significantly less debt.
- This financial freedom affects students' academic choices and career trajectories and provides a more rounded and fulfilling university experience.
By securing scholarships, students can shape their futures on their terms, setting a solid foundation for personal and professional success.
STEP #2: Identify Scholarships to Pursue
(Don't Waste Time & Money Pursuing the Wrong Scholarships)
This section explores the various types of financial aid available to help reduce college costs, empowering parents with the knowledge to guide their teens effectively.
Outside Scholarships
- Non-profits and Foundations: Many organizations offer scholarships based on various criteria, including community service, leadership qualities, and specific career interests. Examples include scholarships from charitable foundations and major corporations.
- Religious Organizations: Churches and other religious groups often provide scholarships to members of their community, recognizing both need and merit.
- Workplace Scholarships: Some companies offer scholarships or educational benefits to employees' children as part of their benefits package.
- Clubs and Societies: Local clubs like Rotary, Lions Club, or even hobby-based groups may offer scholarships to local students, often based on community involvement or leadership.
Need-Based Aid
- Family Income and Assets: These scholarships are awarded based on the student's financial need, which includes family income, assets, and sometimes debts.
- Other Factors: Some scholarships consider additional financial burdens the family might face, such as medical expenses or unemployment.
Merit-Based Scholarships
- Academic Achievements: These are awarded based on a student's educational record, including GPA, class rank, and sometimes specific course completions.
- Standardized Tests: High scores on the SAT or ACT can significantly boost a student's eligibility for merit-based scholarships.
- Extracurricular Activities: Leadership roles, sports, arts, and other activities can also be criteria for merit scholarships.
- Other Merits: Unique talents, entrepreneurial endeavors, or other special skills can also be considered under this category.
Colleges' Own Financial Aid
- Enrollment Management: Colleges often use their funds to make their offers more attractive to high-achieving students or meet diversity and inclusion goals. This type of aid can vary significantly from one institution to another and may combine need and merit considerations.
Sallie Mae, a college loan lender, found that scholarships and grants covered 31% of the total cost of education.
- Out of that money, 86% was from Institutional Grants and Scholarships, only 13% from private scholarships, and 1% from athletic scholarships.
While finding private scholarships is important, maximizing institutional grants and scholarships from colleges and universities is a better strategy. You should specifically look to maximize merit aid and need-based aid.
STEP#3 Select Colleges that Match Your Qualifications
(If You Want Your Child to Get a Scholarship, Read This!)
Understanding your teen's academic performance, the family's financial situation, and each college's specific financial aid strategy is crucial in navigating the complexities of college funding. This holistic knowledge allows families to make informed decisions by accurately estimating each institution's potential financial aid, including need-based and merit-based awards.
Below are examples of a few colleges and universities with entirely different financial aid and scholarship policies.
If you want to reduce the cost of college, aligning your "financial fit" with specific schools is imperative. For example, if you know you qualify for a lot of need-based aid, applying to colleges that meet 100% of need-based aid would benefit you.
However, suppose you are academically qualified and do not qualify for need-based aid based on your income or assets. In that case, you should consider applying to schools that offer merit-based scholarships.
By assessing these factors before applying, you can calculate the net cost of attending each college, enabling a comparison of the actual financial burden across different schools. This proactive approach prevents unexpected financial strain and maximizes the opportunities to leverage your teen's academic achievements for economic benefits.
Consequently, families are better positioned to select financially feasible and academically suitable schools, ensuring a sound investment in their teen's future education.
To help families determine the optimal financial colleges to consider when it comes to financial fit, you must first determine which category you fall into:
You can then identify colleges with financial aid and scholarship policies that match the qualifications of each family and student.
Do You Want to Make College Planning Easy & Stress-Free for You?
What if there was a way to make everything I discussed above EASY?
The Triple C Framework, or CCC for Clark College Consulting, has been fine-tuned and tested over 18 years!
I developed this proprietary process, "The Heart and the Calculator," a meticulously designed approach that empowers students to navigate the complexities of college admissions effectively while saving thousands in college costs.
In fact, last year, I helped over 60 seniors get accepted into some of the finest institutions of higher learning, and they received over $5 million in scholarships and grants!
This framework is divided into three steps, each crucial in crafting a successful college application journey.
And if you get these right, everything becomes much more accessible and clearer…
- Step One: Clarity (Identify Goals) - This initial phase focuses on personal reflection and goal-setting. Students are guided to articulate their aspirations, strengths, and interests. This self-awareness is crucial for choosing the right colleges to apply to and lays the groundwork for the entire application process.
- Step Two: Create (Create A Plan) - With goals clearly defined, the next step is to develop a strategic plan. This framework includes selecting potential colleges, understanding admission criteria, and preparing for necessary standardized tests. It also involves timelines for each college application component, ensuring no critical element is overlooked.
- Step Three: Commitment (Take Action) - The final step is execution. Students put their plans into Action, from completing applications and writing compelling essays to preparing for interviews and submitting scholarship applications. This step is where the strategic preparation becomes tangible outcomes.
The Triple C Framework simplifies the college admissions process by organizing the essential ideas, lessons, and actions from our training into these steps. It ensures that each student has a personalized roadmap to success.
Is Professional Guided College Coaching Really Worth It?
We Can Help Tame The "Swamped Busy Bee"...
As a parent of two children, I know your hectic life makes it hard to juggle all your responsibilities.
I also understand that the college admissions process is enormously complex. As adults and busy students, we battle the "Busy Swamped Bee" daily.
This dastardly bee will...
- Keep you moving so you do not have enough energy to plan for college correctly. I
- Weigh you down mentally
- Causing confusion about what you should be doing
- Wrecking families
- Stealing your sanity
- Causing you to miss deadlines
- Lose out on scholarships
- Create writer's block
- Reduce your college options
- Ultimately cost you an enormous amount of time and money!
There are thousands of details to ensure a successful college application in a rabid pool of candidates.
The stakes are high, and there is little room for error.
Minor mistakes or omissions could ruin a student's chances and cost a fortune.
Furthermore, spending months trying to solo your way into college while battling the "Busy Swamped Bee" alone will cause stress, sleepless nights, severe pressure, and a never-ending grip of uncertainty.
- Having an experienced coach by your side can significantly streamline this intricate process. A coach helps you and your child remain focused and on target, providing support and strategic advice tailored to your unique circumstances.
- In my program, I offer this guided coaching to give your child the real leg up they deserve in the competitive college admissions landscape. This personalized support helps navigate the myriad challenges of applications and financial planning, ensuring your efforts are as effective as efficient.
- By partnering with a professional who understands the system's nuances and hidden secrets, your child will be better positioned to secure a place at their ideal college and will be equipped with the best possible plan for future success.
Unlock Your College Success: Exclusive Coaching Program Overview
As college admissions become increasingly competitive and financially daunting, expert guidance is more crucial than ever. Our proprietary Triple C Framework and "Heart and Calculator" approach, combined with personalized coaching, equips students with the tools necessary for success, from securing admissions to minimizing debts.
Ready to give your child the competitive edge they deserve? Schedule your free consultation today and take the first step towards a successful college journey.
Secure a competitive edge in college admissions with our expert coaching and foolproof strategies. Here's what you can expect when you choose our program:
- Comprehensive and Rigorous Assessment: We conduct a detailed evaluation to maximize your chances of swift acceptance into your chosen colleges. Plus, our strategies have helped past participants save an average of $40,000 to $60,000 in college costs.
- VIP Treatment with World-Class Coaching: Our commitment to excellence in coaching and customer service ensures you receive the personalized attention you deserve throughout your journey.
- Exclusive Admissions Strategies: Gain access to undisclosed methods and techniques for acing your College Interview and crafting a compelling College Admission Essay. Our approach is designed so colleges will compete for you, not the other way around.
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- Affordable Excellence: Get $20,000 worth of expert college planning services for just a fraction of the price. With our program, your chances of getting into your first-choice college will not just improve—they will skyrocket.
You Will Get The World's Best Stress-Free College Coaching Program:
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Step 1: Schedule a no-cost twenty-minute consultation to start your journey.
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Step 2: Receive tailored college advice, answer your questions, and discuss plan recommendations tailored to your needs.
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Step 3: We will execute your personalized plan, keeping you on track toward your college goals.
Enroll in our program today and transform your college planning experience from stressful to successful.