Yes, you can afford college.

Let me show you how…

Welcome to Financial Aid Consulting

Twenty years ago, I reinvented myself to help the next generation of children and students prepare for their futures.

After all, I had a financial, customer service, industrial engineering, process improvement, and writing background before becoming a management and software consultant. Beyond that, I was president of many professional organizations, a public speaker, and a funny man. What better way to combine these ingredients to move on top of a more fulfilling career?

It started with only completing financial aid forms when I realized that clients needed simplistic and strategic advice before and after forms were completed. They needed to understand the flow of information, asset management, and financial strategies to maximize the value of my services.

Over the years, I completed College Board training, attended financial aid workshops for financial aid administrators and tax specialists, and became very adept at learning what financial aid was all about. I wrote articles for professional organizations and a highly acclaimed book- Making College Happen, now in its third edition.

I helped families with twins, triplets, quadruplets, orphans, blended families, foreign and domestic clients, and the mentally challenged across America. The Boston Public School System also allowed me to manage and lead a program to support over 2,700 high school seniors through the financial aid process. These invaluable opportunities made me a much better consultant, so no problem was beyond my ability to fix it.

Now it’s my turn to help you. It starts with your phone call so I can understand how I can help you. Then, you will gain my assurance if I can honestly help you and add value to the services you’ll receive. I will probably make you laugh, relieve stress, and pleasantly surprise you with affordable fees.

You are also invited to read the many insightful articles in my library. This is one of the reasons that this is a unique site that prioritizes helping others over financial gain.

Making College Happen by Howard Freedman

What I Do

When I began Financial Aid Consulting, I realized that there was more to it than completing financial aid forms. So, I decided to do more.

Here are some of the services that I provide:

Reducing Anxiety

·       Overcoming the fear of the unknown

·       Improving family communications

·       Clarifying financial responsibilities

·       Exploring alternatives

Staying Organized and In Control

·       Timetables

·       Spreadsheet analysis

·       Progressive review and- follow up.

·       Scholarship Searches

·       Exploring Scholarship opportunities

·       Brainstorming qualifications and skills

·       Identifying the best scholarship choices

College Planning

·       Helping students establish criteria for researching colleges.

·       Preparing for campus visits

·       Spreadsheet analytics

·       Scholarship Searching

·       Exploring 4-year college alternatives

Financial Aid Forms

·       Preparation

·       Review forms already completed.

·       Analysis

·       Tax analysis.

·       Review output reports.

·       Strategies for maximizing financial aid.

·       Student Aid Index review  

·       “What If” Scenarios

·       Scheduling and follow-up

Financial Aid Award Analysis

·       Understanding what it means

·       Crunching the numbers

·       Evaluating the available options

·       Strategizing how to get more.

Writing Powerful Appeal Letters

·       Defining what is needed.

·       Effectively presenting your case.

Preparing for Professional Judgment    

·     

Interview with Howard Freedman

Testimonials

 Clients

“Howard has done it all! As an educator, I applaud his contribution to the field of education. I cannot thank Mr. Freedman enough for making the task of readying kids for college and keeping them current much easier, even more so for  Dr. Robert ”  Dr. Robert Burrelli.

“We were extremely naive going into the process and now are much more prepared and comfortable with the logistics and details. Freedman breaks it all down succinctly and clearly. As a result, we were able to take advantage of both income-based aid and programs in the merit-based aid world, which are not entirely dependent on grades, such as geographic diversity grants” Mike Mannis, Attorney.

“We appreciated Howard’s expertise and communicative style when assisting us with completing our daughter’s FAFSA and CSS Profile. He provided excellent service in a non-judgmental manner, and we would not hesitate to recommend Howard to other families who would benefit from someone who knows the ins and outs of financial aid forms.” Mary Brown-Jones, Guidance Counsellor

“As a retired Boston Police Officer, I worried that college for my son would be very expensive and leave him with many student loans after graduation. Howard seized every opportunity to save us money and coached us through the complexities of applying for and maximizing our financial aid package. We are forever grateful for his help.” Audrey Fleming

“Howard Freedman has done an outstanding job helping to make college financing possible for my three daughters, even when obstacles made it look impossible. I recommend him as one of the foremost experts in his field, and his book exemplifies his wealth of knowledge and dedication to his profession.” Jack B. Garvey, Webmaster, Little Rock School District, Little Rock, Arkansas.

Colleagues

“In all my years of collaboration with organization representatives, I have been associated with a more professional, competent, concerned, dedicated, ethically responsible person and congenial individual than Howard Freedman. His wise consultation and agreeable interpersonal style were vital in averting conflict among students and institutions.” William Quill, Professor of Counselling Psychology, Coordinator of the School Counselling program, Northeastern University

‘Howard’s affable demeanor as ACCESS Program Manager and adviser for the students and parents from various backgrounds  often confused by the financial aid process enhanced his effectiveness on what they needed to accomplish.” Maureen O’Donnell, Guidance Counselor, Boston Community Leadership Academy, Boston Public Schools

Making College Happen, Readers,

“Great manual, very helpful. All parents should read this book by the student’s sophomore year to get to a selected college. I have been an attorney for over 30 years and am very good at research and work, yet I learned how difficult it is to understand and deal with financial aid. They are not easy to deal with, and this manual helps and would help you, too. I very highly recommend it.” Brian Mahoney, Attorney

“I found this book to be a "must have" for any parent or grandparent interested in better understanding all the questions regarding funding their child's/grandchild's college education. Mr. Freedman unveils many surprising misconceptions regarding the most cost-effective options available to finance a college education and the risks associated with all the options. This book is well referenced, but if you want to dive deeper, review Mr. Freedman's website at http://www.financialaidconsulting.com.” Marc Dershowitz, Geologist

"Making College Happen is a practical, well-organized guide that demystifies the complexities of planning for your student's continuing education. Howard’s approach is refreshing and insightful, using his many years of experience as a financial aid consultant. He divides the process of planning and financing college into reasonable and timely steps to make informative educational and financial decisions.” Margaret Myers, Retired Principal.

“Making College Happen is worth its weight in gold’’ Dr. Robert Burrelli.

This book is topical, well written, and approaches the many aspects of financing a college education with an open mind. It is highly recommended for any parent going through the sometimes scary and confusing college application and financing process. A unique holistic view that will help you lower stress levels and avoid costly mistakes when applying for college financial aid. As a financial advisor, I’ll put it on my reference shelf and recommend my fellow advisors to do the same.’-Harry Savas, Financial Advisor.