Are You Worried About the College Process and Finances?

If you’re worried about the college process and finances, you aren’t alone. At Apella, we understand that tuition planning can be stressful. We’ve been guiding families just like yours through the process for the past 15 years.

To help you feel prepared for the college transition, we meet with you one-on-one to ensure we understand your family’s individual financial needs. We also offer a free consultation and overview of our services so families can be aware of their options. Our four-step process is tailored to each family’s personal situation:

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Collaborate

First, we collaborate directly with parents to help your family forecast your eligibility for financial aid. Depending on those results, we can recommend specific schools that may help reduce the cost of college. This exercise can be done in conjunction with your independent Educational Consultant, if applicable.

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Assist

Next, we provide assistance with the FAFSA/CSS profile and explain the process of filing, staying in compliance, and ensuring all deadlines are met. We feel the vast majority of families should file, regardless of their financial situation.



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Evaluate

Once your student is accepted and receives their financial aid package, we’ll help evaluate your award and determine if there’s an opportunity to file an appeal requesting additional financial assistance. We’ll coach you through the process and how to best approach your top college.

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Implement

Finally, we help parents evaluate the best way to pay the bill. We’ll determine the best way to deploy family resources (income, savings 529 Plans, etc.) and explain your various loan options (federal, state, private). This stage takes your family’s specific financial situation into consideration, focusing on your goals.

How We Help

With education costs soaring, college affordability is a significant concern for many families. Here’s how we can help:

  • Help you determine your objectives
  • Provide financial aid strategies to reduce college expenses
  • Identify colleges that provide need and merit-based financial aid
  • Forecast your eligibility for federal and institutional need-based aid
  • Guide the completion of the FAFSA and CSS profile forms
  • Provide income planning and investment repositioning strategies to maximize financial aid
  • Recommend Student Education Loan Strategies
  • Cash flow strategies available to pay the college tuition bill
  • Discuss investment strategies (including collaboration with your CPA or financial advisor, if applicable)

College Planning Insights

Explore our collection of blog posts surrounding college planning. 

Funding Children’s Education & Planning for You First

Planning for college can be a daunting task for anyone and “3.6 million parents have taken out...

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College-Bound (Grand)Child? Don’t forget to have them complete this form!

Hint: It’s even more important than the FAFSA! A young woman goes to college. Two months later she...

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Pre-Tax Contributions or Roth Contributions to your Employer 401(k)? Which to Choose.

Congratulations! You just started your first job and even better news; your company offers a...

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Utilizing 529 Plans and Direct Payments to Educational Institutions for Estate Planning

Higher education not only offers a great way to better position your children and grandchildren for...

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Is My Personal Information Protected on the FASFA Application

If you've been receiving increased data-breach notices from companies, healthcare networks or even...

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All Things Insurance In Your 20's

If you've been receiving increased data-breach notices from companies, healthcare networks or even...

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Financial and Legal Preparation for College Students

It has been a year of milestones in my home. My son graduated high school, turned 18, and started...

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Financial Matters: Payment Options for College

Students who will begin college in the fall semester should receive their tuition bill a few months...

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Funding Higher Education - Investing Talk

A special episode devoted to paying for your children's higher education. Apella Wealth college-funding specialist, Jim Femia joins Tom and Don to share his expertise on the various ways you can afford to help your kid's get through college.

How Does Need Based Financial Aid Work?

Our Plans

Standard Plan

Get a plan.

  • 1-On-1 Service
  • Regular Updates and Newsletter
  • Calculate Student Aid Index (SAI)
  • Proposal to Lower SAI
  • Merit-Based Aid and Identify Opportunities
  • Highlight Financial Aid Friendly Colleges
  • Guidance on FAFSA, CSS, and more
  • Determine Requirements Per School
  • Awards Analysis
  • Evaluate Appeals Opportunity
  • College Pre-Approval Process
  • College funding Plan
  • Student and Parent Loans

$1695.00

College Plan+

Get a plan + get ahead for your future.

  • Everything In Standard College Plan
  • College Savings Asset Allocation Review
  • College Savings Distribution Strategies
  • Tax Mitigation
  • Net Worth Statement
  • Debt Review
  • Asset Allocation Review
  • Risk Assessment
  • Investment Fee Analysis
  • Stock Option and Restricted Stock Strategies

$1995.00

Ready to Get Started?

Contact us today for your free initial consultation.

Apella Capital, LLC (“Apella”), DBA Apella Wealth is an investment advisory firm registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm only transacts business in states where it is properly registered or excluded or exempt from registration requirements. Registration of an investment adviser does not imply any specific level of skill or training and does not constitute an endorsement of the firm by the Commission. A copy of Apella’s current written disclosure brochure filed with the SEC which discusses among other things, Apella’s business practices, services and fees, is available through the SEC's website at: www.adviserinfo.sec.gov. No current or prospective client should assume any discussion or information contained in this material serves as the receipt of, or as a substitute for, personalized investment advice. This document does not constitute advice or a recommendation or offer to sell or a solicitation to deal in any security or financial product. It is provided for information purposes only and on the understanding that the recipient has sufficient knowledge and experience to be able to understand and make their own evaluation of the proposals and services described herein, any risks associated therewith and any related legal, tax, accounting or other material considerations.