1. Dr. Dean Skarlis, President The College Advisor of New York
Helping Your Clients Pay Less: Proven Strategies To Reduce College Cost.
Dr. Dean Skarlis, President
The College Advisor of New York

2. Top 5 Things Colleges Need to See Strategies To Reduce College Cost
Today’s Agenda
The Cost Of College
Top 5 Things Colleges Need to See
Rankings Vs. Fit
2 Case Studies
Strategies To Reduce College Cost

3. The Environment What influences decision making?
Largest Family Purchase?
Financial concerns not limited to aid candidates
Student Counselor ratio 488:1
Students receive average of 38 minutes of college admission advice
6/10 received NO college info from their HS counselor
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5. Student Debt

6. PARENT DEBT

7. How Will Your Clients Function?
A $280,000 decision to the emotion of a teenager?

8. Tunnel Vision Is Costly!
2015: Ivies reject 79% valedictorians
Most competitive high school class
Know who wants the student!

9. 1 - Grades in College Prep Courses 2 - Test Scores
How Will Students Be Evaluated?
1 - Grades in College Prep Courses
2 - Test Scores
3 - The Application Essay/Application
4. Demonstrated Interest
5. Teacher Recommendations
6 - Extracurricular Involvement
NACAC Trends Study 2016

10. Finding A Good Fit vs Brand Name Paralysis
Allegheny College - 90% Med/Law School
Ohio U – Journalism
Clark U – 5th year/MA Free
DeSales U - #1 PA Program

11. The 3 Line Formula It should be this simple!
Total Cost
●Tuition
●Room & board
●Books
●Laboratory Fees
●Computer Fees
●Mandatory fees
●Transportation
●Community Costs
●Personal Expenses
Expected Family
Contribution
(EFC)
= Student Need
What % need met?
50%? 75%? 100%?

12. What Do the Formulas Assess?
Income
Debt?
Life Insurance?
Home Equity?
Retirement?
Business Assets?

13. Allowances In The Formulas
Asset Protection Allowance: Between $29-$50K
Income Protection Allowance: About $40K/year
Employment Allowance: About $4k/year

14. Income and Asset Treatment
Parent income assessed up to 47% of value
Parent assets assessed at 5.64% of value
Student income assessed up to 50% of value
Student assets assessed at 20% of value

15. American Opportunity Tax Credit Lifetime Learning Credit
Tax Credits
American Opportunity Tax Credit
- Tax credit up to $2,500 of qualified tuition & related expenses
100% of up to $2,000, plus 25% of next $2,000
Lifetime Learning Credit
- 20% of $10,000
-Maximum of $2,000/year per taxpayer (not student)
- No limit with regards to number of years credit can be claimed

16. Case Study - Chase 91 GPA 1270 SAT NO Financial Need
(Scholarships ONLY)
Strong Essay/Application

17. Case Study - Chase

18. Case Study - Logan 88 GPA 28 ACT DID have Financial Need
FAFSA Not Profile
Strong Essay/Application

19. Case Study - Logan - Business Owners - Real Estate AGI - $141,000
Parental Assets - $120,000
Student Assets - $22,000
Business Assets – $6,100,000
Properties and Business Valuation

20. Case Study - Logan FAFSA EFC - $38,700
Strategy 1: Move $22,000 out of student’s name
RESULT: $34,300

21. Case Study - Logan
Profile EFC - $371,000
Business assets included

22. Case Study - Logan
1. Drexel: $69, ,300 (EFC) =$34,700 (Need)– Met 95% of need
NET Cost - $36,000
2.U Richmond: $64,000 - $371,000 (EFC) = $0 Need
NET Cost - $64,000

23. Case Study - Logan Savings: $112,000 over 4 years
Strategy: Selection of Colleges

24. Updates To The Process FAFSA/Profile Changes - Available on October 1
- “Prior-Prior Year” – e.g.,
- Every college is now NEED AWARE!
New SAT
Imitates ACT
Scores Inflated

25. Some Strategies Grandparent or Aunt/Uncle Owned 529
Effect on Formulas
Simplified Needs Test & Automatic Zero EFC
Effect On Formulas
401(k) or 403(b) Contributions
Discretionary Income
HELOC and Home Equity Loan
Triple Advantage
Credit Card + Car Loan Debt
Defer income and bonuses to January

26. A Word About: 91% Acceptance Rate 88% Graduation Rate
Clients of All Income Levels
Full Service Admission, Scholarship, Aid, Test Prep
91% Acceptance Rate
88% Graduation Rate
Families, Business Owners
Save: Money, Time, Find The Best Fit

27. The College Advisor of New York
Questions? Comments?
The College Advisor of New York
Phone:  (518)
Fax:  (518)
18 Corporate Woods Boulevard, Albany, NY 12211
Closing slide option 2
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The Right College At The Right Price |September 20, 2018