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Do You Know How You're Paying for College?

What if I told you there's a huge secret colleges DON'T want you to know about  about paying for the most expensive thing ever?

And there's a way to ethical, legal and totally above board way to save up to 70% off a college's 'advertised' cost of attendance?

And it works for just about any student?

Why Listen to Me?

Hi there, I’m Andrea Stein—a Dave Ramsey Certified Financial Coach, a Certified College Funding Specialist, and, most importantly, a mom of three college (and college-bound) kids.

I know the stress, frustration, and sleepless nights that come with planning and paying for college because I’ve been there—and I’m still there.

When my oldest hit high school, I thought I was ready for the college process. I’d heard the horror stories from friends about how grueling it was, but I figured, “We’ve saved diligently; we’ll be fine.”

Boy, was I wrong.

It wasn’t just the sticker shock of how EXPENSIVE college had become—it was discovering how drastically the game had changed since I applied. Remember when Sallie Mae student loans were for students? Now, they’ve been replaced with Parent PLUS Loans—and that’s just the start of the madness.

Here’s a fact that shook me to my core: the cost of college has skyrocketed over 1,300% since we were in school. Even with a solid savings plan, the reality of paying $80,000 a year for college (times 3 kids, for 4 years) was beyond daunting—it felt impossible.

I mean, at that rate, I may as well have taken the money to Vegas and put it all on black. At least then, I’d have a story to tell!

Discovering the Secret to College Merit Aid

But here’s the thing—I wasn’t about to give up on my kids’ futures. So, I rolled up my sleeves and dove into the world of college admissions and funding.

I scoured the internet, pestered experts, devoured books, and asked every parent and professional I could find for advice. And here’s what I discovered:

There’s a legal, ethical, and incredibly effective way to slash the cost of college—by having the schools themselves PAY YOU to attend.

Okay, not quite like that—but close.

Many colleges offer merit aid scholarships—essentially tuition discounts—for strong academic students. With the right strategy, you can reduce your costs by 30%, 50%, or even 70%.

Let me be clear: This isn’t about free rides. It’s about making college affordable without sacrificing your family’s financial future.

Results That Speak for Themselves

Using the strategies I uncovered, my family was able to secure incredible offers from competitive, highly ranked colleges—offers that made their sky-high sticker prices actually manageable.

But what really struck me was how unprepared most of my friends were. They’d saved what they could, but they had no idea that colleges actively compete for students like ours by offering significant discounts.

When I started sharing my process with them, I realized two things:

1. Most parents are flying blind when it comes to college costs.

2. Without a clear strategy, even the most accomplished students can miss out on tens of thousands of dollars in potential aid.

That’s when I decided to turn my personal success into a system. I sought out certification as a Certified College Funding Specialist and created The College Funding Playbook—a step-by-step guide to mastering the Secret Game of Merit Aid.

Why I Wrote This Book

I know how overwhelming this process can feel. I know what it’s like to stare down tuition bills and wonder if your savings—and your sanity—will survive.

But I also know this: With the right knowledge and strategy, college doesn’t have to break the bank.

In The College Funding Playbook, I’ll show you exactly how to find, negotiate, and secure merit aid so you can send your kids to college with confidence—without sacrificing your retirement, your dreams, or your financial stability.

Let’s make this journey easier, smarter, and more affordable—together.

🎓 Introducing the: The Ultimate College Funding Playbook—a step-by-step guide to mastering the Secret Game of Merit Aid.

Inside:

What’s Included in The College Funding Playbook

Your step-by-step guide to mastering the Secret Game of Merit Aid is packed with actionable strategies, insider tips, and proven methods to make college more affordable. Here’s exactly what you’ll get:

1. A Clear Roadmap to College Merit Aid Success

• A comprehensive, easy-to-follow guide that demystifies the merit aid process from start to finish.

• Step-by-step instructions to help your student secure tuition discounts at competitive, highly ranked colleges.

2. Proven Strategies to Save Big

• How to target colleges that offer the most generous merit aid packages.

• The secret to identifying schools where your student’s academic profile makes them eligible for maximum discounts.

• Insider tips on negotiating financial aid offers to increase your merit aid awards.

3. Tools to Master College Research and Selection

• A list of colleges known for their generous merit aid policies.

• Worksheets and checklists to help you compare schools based on cost, aid opportunities, and fit.

• Tips for evaluating "net cost" instead of sticker price, so you know what you’ll actually pay.

4. Guidance on Applications and Essays

• How to craft standout college applications that highlight your student’s strengths and make them attractive merit aid candidates.

• Proven techniques for writing compelling essays that resonate with admissions and scholarship committees.

5. Test Prep and Academic Planning Tips

• The role of standardized test scores (SAT/ACT) in merit aid decisions and how to maximize them.

• How to create a high school academic plan that positions your student for success.

• Guidance on extracurricular activities, leadership roles, and community service to strengthen merit aid eligibility.

6. Insights on the Financial Side of College Planning

• Why filing the FAFSA and CSS Profile is essential, even for high-income families.

• The impact of savings and assets on merit aid eligibility—and how to plan accordingly.

• A breakdown of the financial aid landscape, including grants, scholarships, and loans.

7. Practical Tips for Parents

• How to balance affordability with your child’s dream school.

• Creative ways to reduce costs beyond scholarships (e.g., tuition payment plans, work-study programs).

• Real-life case studies of families who successfully navigated the merit aid process and saved thousands.

8. Bonus: Templates, Tools, and Resources

• Templates for appeal letters to negotiate better financial aid offers.

• Sample timelines and planning guides to keep your family on track throughout the process.

• Links to trusted resources for additional guidance, including scholarship search engines and college cost calculators.

What You’ll Gain from The College Funding Playbook

• Clarity: Finally understand the confusing college financial aid process.

• Confidence: Empower yourself to make informed, strategic decisions about your child’s education.

• Savings: Learn how to unlock tuition discounts of 30-70%, potentially saving tens of thousands of dollars.

• Peace of Mind: Approach the college process knowing you’ve done everything possible to make it affordable.

The College Funding Playbook isn’t just a guide—it’s a game-changer for families who want to give their children the gift of a great education without sacrificing their financial future.

Are you ready to take control of the college funding process? This playbook will show you how.

Who This Playbook is For:

This  printable playboook is perfect for:

• Parents of College-Bound Students who want to make confident, informed decisions.

• High School Students ready to take control of their college journey.

• Families of all income levels looking for strategies to reduce tuition costs and maximize financial aid opportunities.

The Playbook is an instant, digital download. Once your payment is complete, you will get an email with the link to download you playbook.