The $90,000 Question: Why Families Overpay for College and How to Stop It

College wasn't supposed to cost this much. Your student walks into the kitchen and says: "I think I want to go to USC." Out loud, you smile. Inside? How are we going to pay for that? If that moment feels familiar, you are not alone. Many families discover too late that college funding is not based only on income. It is influenced by formulas, timing, school policies, financial positioning, and rules most parents were never taught. The $90,000 Question pulls back the curtain on how college funding really works-and how families can avoid unnecessary tuition costs while protecting their long-term financial future. Inside this book, you'll learn: - How FAFSA and CSS schools evaluate families differently- Why sticker price is often not the real price- How income, assets, timing, and school selection affect aid- Common mistakes that quietly increase college costs- How to compare award letters and understand what "aid" really means- When appeals make sense-and when they don't- How loans can be used strategically- Special considerations for business owners, divorced families, real estate investors, and blended households- How to think beyond acceptance letters and protect retirement >Because the goal isn't just getting into college. > You don't get aid just because you need it. You get it by understanding how the system works.

Pagina's: 374, Paperback, Auxilium Press