Paying for College Without Going Broke

Chany explains upfront that the most financial aid goes not to the "neediest" but to those who best understand the financial aid process. This happens for many reasons including the many financial aid loopholes. Structuring your finances to maximize aid awarded to your children entering and in college is legal and ethical says Chany. He argues that just as making decisions to legally minimize taxes is ethical, so too is maximizing aid so long as you tell the truth in aid applications. Colleges and their financial aid officers don't explain the often mysterious process and formulas by which financial aid awards are determined. Chany has filled this void in his comprehensive book. Chany is one of a handful of nationally recognized experts on how the college financial aid process works and what you can do to maximize your child's aid. His book, which has been in print since the early 1990s, is updated annually. Chany also discusses the college selection process, how state aid works, and he walks the reader through how to complete all the major aid forms. For a more detailed summary of this book, please see my website (www.erictyson.com) - Eric Tyson Best-selling author of Personal Finance for Dummies

Parents spend thousands on SAT preparation, tens of thousands on a private school education, and then leave their assets to the tender mercies of the Board of Education. Don't allow your financial future to be savaged by the struggle to cover ever-increasing college costs. It is essential to know how your answers to the 103 questions that comprise the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) will be interpreted. I read Sallie Mae's book, which highly recommends Sallie Mae loans - calls them an "investment". They are not, they are a long-term debt. Kalman Chaney offers unbiased advice for maximizing your awards, minimizing your debt, and weighing your college choices with more tools (like cost-to-attend and likelihood of providing aid) in hand. It is an eye opening book, I ordered the annual update, too. It is a bit overwhelming, and even if you decide to hire a college funding advisor to help you with this process, you should still buy the book.

this book was really usefull in figuring out all the information needed to fill out the FAFSA.Reading it also helped make the form easier to understand when it came to filling it out

I got this book to give to friends entering into their junior year. These techniques should really be started even earlier to maximize your chances of aid. This books explains how the feds calculate for their grants and loans versus how colleges and universities do it to give away their own money. The book even explains how to fill out forms and references line items on your tax forms. There are great explanations about different types of investments and the pros and cons of each. All these are great short term and long term things to think about and do now. Ever thought that having the grandparents set up trusts for the grandkids for college was a good thing? Think again. Read and learn. Learn how to maximize your appearance of debt. Financial aid is really a game and those that know the rules will win - start now for your kids sake! p.s. there really is so much more in this book than just the few items listed. Even at 20 bucks this book will be worth it. And I am going to get it every few years to keep updated on the laws that constantly change and try to adjust accordingly.

I've been studying this topic in detail, worked with various consultants, etc. over the past 6 months, and this is by far the best resource I've found on the subject. It is very detailed and thorough, as well as accurate. A must-read, especially if you think you don't qualify for aid...you may find out that you do. Very highly recommended! I wish my accountant would read this!!