Dear Subscriber -

It takes a lot to surprise me, but this blew me away.

I had been working for about six months with Rick, a self-employed Port Washington man, to help out with the financial aid process.

Alexis, his daughter – a great student with good SAT scores – had her heart set on USC, a school with a hefty price tag.

Alexis applied to several schools and got into most. But on April 14th, her story took a bad turn.

Murphy’s Law stuck Alexis hard – her worst financial aid award, far and away, was from her top choice, “Dream School,” USC. She was crushed.

Rick did his best to soften the blow, but he had to tell her he could not afford to send her there – she’d have to settle for another school, unless something changed.

Many phone calls, late night (and early morning) emails between Rick and me ensued as we discussed strategies on how to get more out of USC.

At one point, Rick confessed that Alexis was up in her room sobbing – for days – about her situation.

Fast forward to May 16, barely a month later: USC sweetened their offer by $30,022! Not a misprint.

Alexis’ Dream School became a reality!

How did we pull this off?

Truthfully, I cannot take all of the credit. Neither can I point to only one thing that created this monumental change in Alexis’ life.

Instead, there were several factors involved. Rick and I just did a post-mortem on the phone – here are the main items we came up with:

• My strategies on what to say
• Rick following my advice on what to say
• My strategies on WHOM to make our appeal to – not just to the financial aid office
• Rick following my advice (after re-reading my email – he almost missed a crucial piece!)
• Alexis applying to schools that compete with one another for her type of candidate
• Rick’s dogged, stubborn determination to see the whole process through, even in the face of others questioning him why he was spending all this time tilting at windmills.

Not everyone achieves a $30,022 swing. Sometimes appeals net only $3,500, $2,000, $6,000 – or nothing at all. Point is, you can stack the odds in your favor if you P-L-A-N and take ACTION.

Rick and worked together and now his daughter’s top choice college will cost him a fraction of its sticker price. How does “50% off” sound to you?

No, I can’t promise this to you or everyone of course. But Rick’s results were actually better – see the attachment at the bottom of this page.

But I’m only scratching the surface on how you can pay “wholesale” for college. I’ve got two more workshops about financial aid strategies like this pending this month. If you are the parent of a high school junior and have not yet attended one of these, time is not your friend. The pre-college timeline marches on – without regard to your schedule or whatever’s distracting you at the moment.

Delay is death in college finance – the longer you wait to implement cost-cutting strategies, the fewer options you have.

My advice is to register now – even bring a couple of friends if we have room. I’ll give more details on the appeals process – and what you must do months – or even years – before you finalize your college list – for you to sink your teeth into. Send them this e-mail.

WORKSHOP SCHEDULE

Rick went to a workshop just like the one I’m urging you to attend. He liked what he heard and retained me. Now he more than doubled his initial financial aid award (see below). What are you waiting for?

If you’ve been to a workshop and have not taken me up on my offer for a complimentary 20 minute phone call or face-to-face, speak to Lisa – reply to this post ( Lisa -   at  - andylockwood.com ) and she’ll get back to you within a day or two.

Take ACTION today.

Your Correspondent,

- Andy Lockwood

P.S. Here’s a copy of the USC award – “before” and “after”. Check it out – the proof is in the pudding!

P.P.S. Frequently, people comment on how busy I am, what a good career I’ve chosen, etc. And I agree – it’s a great living. But the “emotional capital” that I get paid with – when I help an deserving, distraught teen and equally upset parents realize their dreams – is impossible to quantify. Even for a sarcastic, cynic like me.

Andrew Lockwood, J.D.
Lockwood College Consulting
497 South Oyster Bay Road
Plainview, New York 11803

516.882.5464
www.AndyLockwood.com

www.StudentAthleteMagazine.com

Dear Subscriber -

Welcome to this month’s College Success Bulletin – chock full of college finance and admissions tips…truly the “Mother of All College Planning Newsletters!”

Mother’s Day has come and gone, spring is in the air and the school year is coming to a close.  While I cannot recall ever being accused of having a highly developed maternal instinct, I do enjoy writing these monthly missives and hope you find them valuable – even provocative – if light on the touchy-feely stuff!  Here are this month’s tips:

SENIORS

• Finish your year strong – show some pride – no Senioritis!  Horror stories abound about withdrawn offers of admission – don’t be a casualty!
• Parents – finalize any lingering negotiations with college financial aid office.

JUNIORS

• Check deadlines for SAT I and II – http://sat.collegeboard.org/register/sat-dates
• AP Exams given this month!   http://www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/ap/cal.html
• Continue to research colleges
• Continue to communicate with colleges – admissions officers, department heads, career centers –to demonstrate that you’re interested and as part of your research.  “Demonstrated Interest” in each respective college has risen in importance as admissions continue to become more competitive.
• Finalize college tour plans for Spring Break!  (See blog – FinancialAidBuzz.com – for tips on college visits)
• The “best” list of colleges contains at least 3-4 colleges that historically have competed against one another.  Select your college list correctly – strategically – and it will pay huge dividends 10 short months from now…when your mailbox is flooded with offers of admission and scholarships!
• Understand that the college application process is fundamentally a MARKETING process, whether or not you care to admit it or like it.   How do you prove to the admissions office why you should be selected compared to a couple thousand other candidates with the same grades and scores?  Separate yourself from the herd with “Atypical Teen Activities” on your resume, described properly and a powerful, attention-grabbing essay that tells a meaningful, compelling story.

—————————————————–

Class of 2014:  27 Second Commercial for College Advising Services

If you are interested in hearing more about our “marketing” approach to college admissions, contact the office to schedule a complimentary 20 minute phone consultation.  Spots are first-come, first served.  Maximum 12.

——————————————————

• Think through/rehearse college interview questions – your college tour is a great time to book interviews
• Continue to research college costs.  Attend one of our complimentary workshops this month:  Upcoming College Finance Workshop Schedule
• Finalize any strategic moves to improve your financial aid eligibility
• Check out Colleges That Change Lives, by Loren Pope – a must-read (available on Amazon, etc.).  Great source of college information – beyond the “Usual Suspects!”

NOTE:  if a Gold Client, you get a copy as a freebie – let us know if you don’t have it yet and would like it!

• Check out the CTCL college fair, schedule at:  http://www.ctcl.org/events/programs.  They’re in NYC next week – I’ll be in attendance!

If you are a Gold Member and have not done so already, please contact the office to set up this month’s meeting –whether face-to-face or phone/Skype.   Silver Plan (group coaching) members, keep an eye out for an upcoming group call in day – you’ll be notified by e-mail.

SOPHOMORES/FRESHMAN

• SAT II’s (Subject Tests) are next month!   http://sat.collegeboard.org/register/sat-dates
• AP Exams are this month!    http://www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/ap/cal.html
• Check details with your high school’s AP Coordinator/Teachers/Guidance Counselor
• Summer plans – Think “Atypical Teen Activities!” to make your resume “pop!”
• Check out the CTCL book and fair:  http://www.ctcl.org/events/programs
• If you are a Gold Member and have not done so already, please contact the office to set up this month’s meeting –whether face-to-face or phone/Skype.   Silver Plan (group coaching) members, keep an eye out for an upcoming group call in day – you’ll be notified by e-mail.
• Brainstorm extra-curricular activities to engage in next year
• Think “Depth, Not Breadth.”
• Focus on a limited amount of interests
• Show long-term interest with a particular activity
• Highlight activities related to your career interest or goal
• Show leaderships skills and/or ability
• Check out summer programs at a local (or not local) college – browse websites, make calls.

•  Too young for a “real” job?  Get entrepreneurial!  Babysit, mow lawns, tutor, etc.

• Check local chambers of commerce, other professional organizations to see what opportunities they may offer

• Travel!  Do a “walk through” of a big, medium and small college – just to get a “feel.”  Although most students will be away, you’ll get a smidgeon of the college experience by checking it out over the summer.

NOTE – Sophomores are about a month away from being – gasp! – a Junior!  First half of Junior Year is THE most critical period when it comes to college admissions.  The time to start planning is now!

###

That’s it for this month’s newsletter!  Remember, families who TAKE ACTION and implement the tips in this newsletter will obtain results far superior to those who “blow it off!”  If you – or your child – is not the “self-starter” type or is feeling so overwhelmed that you don’t know where to start, contact the office for a complimentary 20 minute consult and you’ll begin to relax almost immediately!

Please let us know what you liked about this issue and what we can improve!

Your Correspondent,

- Andy Lockwood

P.S.  I’m lecturing on college finance strategies for “forgotten middle class” families three times this month – tonight, Thursday and next week.  Bring a friend – as long as we have space!  Check out what’s covered and our schedule at:

www.CollegePlanningTips.com

P.P.S.

Feel free to forward this to a friend who’s stressed about paying for  – and getting into – college!

Andrew Lockwood, J.D.

Lockwood College Consulting

497 South Oyster Bay Road

Plainview, New York 11803

516.882.5464

www.AndyLockwood.com

www.StudentAthleteMagazine.com

Dear Subscriber -

This time of year, we’re tushie-deep in financial aid offers that roll in from our
clients.  We spend a lot of time sifting through, interpreting and comparing them
before we try to negotiate and appeal them with our clients.

Part of the hassle is trying to figure out exactly WHAT is being offered, since
there is no standardized way to disclose a financial aid offer that all colleges
adhere to.  Strange but true.

In other words, you can apply for a mortgage, car loan, or credit card and have a
reasonable way to compare “apples to apples.”  Not so in financial aid.

There’s been a spate of articles about this recently, one of which is attached.
According to a reporter from the New York Times who interviewed me last week,
they’re planning a multi-part series on the lack of transparency in the college
finance process.  If the Times is writing about this, you know it’s a major
story.

Did you know that the trade association for college financial aid administrators
is AGAINST a standarzied way to award financial aid?

Now, there are at least three different names for a Subsidized Stafford Loan.
Colleges can offer Parent Loans as financial aid when they are most definitely
NOT financial aid.  Loan terms are not dislosed on financial aid award letters.
Etc. etc. etc..  The financial aid administrators don’t want any of this
stuff changed!

Why the h*ll would they oppose such an idea?  Makes me wonder…

Not really!

The bigger picture here is that you, the parent, are playing on an uneven field
against the, ahem, “nonprofit” institutions of higher education who specifically
do NOT want to make it easy for you to compare offers from other schools.

Truth is, they don’t want to make ANY of this process easy for you.  It’s squarely
against their interests.

It doesn’t have to be that way.  You can beat the rip-off, deceptive colleges
at their own game if – and only if – you understand the rules of the game…

…and how to WIN!

Last week I offered you a special deal on my College Finance Audit – a way for you
to start out on the road to victory.  The best defense is a great offense and
this is a great first step.

Today is the last time I will offer it at this low price – tomorrow this deal
is off the table.

COLLEGE FINANCE AUDIT

The other thing I recommend is to attend one of my upcoming workshops this month.
Unlike the College Finance Audit, there is no fee to attend, thanks to the nice
people at the Portledge School, Om sweet Om Yoga Studio (yes – a yoga studio!) and
the Bryant Library. Parents walk away with a clearer understanding of how the
deal works, costly mistakes to avoid and how to get the most m.oney possible out
of the colleges.  Check our schedule out to see what works for you.

REGISTER HERE FOR AN UPCOMING WORKSHOP WHILE SPACE AVAILABLE

Arm yourself for battle and you won’t be blindsided by awful, insulting offers of
financial aid needlessly after it’s too late to do anything about it!

Your Correspondent,

- Andy Lockwood

P.S. The award letter is but a sliver of the overall picture.  Please forward this
information to a friend who needs help understanding the overly-complicated financial
aid process.  I give actual examples at my workshops.

P.P.S.  Here’s an article that appeared on Bloomberg recently.

Andrew Lockwood, J.D.
Lockwood College Consulting
497 South Oyster Bay Road
Plainview, New York 11803

            516.882.5464      
www.AndyLockwood.com

www.StudentAthleteMagazine.com

For more “out of the box” college planning info, attend an upcoming workshop on College Finance’s “Dirty Little Secrets!”

I just got this e-mail a couple of days ago, from someone who is “opting out” of my list.  I think you’ll be interested in hearing why.

Andy -

You probably do not remember me but I came to one of your seminars at the Roslyn JCC and also took advantage of the free consultation at your office last year.

Unfortunately, the economic downturn combined with an extremely contentious divorce left me in a situation where I had basically no funds to pay for my son’s tuition or to work with you.  However, I remained on your email list and  still received priceless  information that was invaluable to my son’s entire financial aid process.  I can only imagine what you can do for the “paying customers.”

My son was admitted to Tulane University and received an extremely generous aid package.  I strongly believe that waht i learned from your blasts was a big part of it.  Thank you for providing this, and as my financial situation improves, I look forward to  consulting with you in person for my other children.

I will be opting out of the email list, but surely will return in a couple of years.

Sincerely,

[Name withheld by Andy]

————————————————-
My comments:

I LOVE getting e-mails like this.  They come regularly, but not every day.  Even though it may sound goofy, I really do get a charge out of helping people, whether or not they’re clients.

But enough “feelings” crap!  Let’s talk turkey.

This gentleman was really happy with his award package from a top, generous school.

But what if you are NOT happy with your financial aid award?  What if you feel like you got “hosed” by the financial aid department?

You’ve got a good shot at improving your award - if you know how to employ tested and proven strategies that work.

It just so happens that I’m hosting a new – online – mini-workshop on exactly that topic – “How to Improve a Stingy Financial Aid Award.”

Topics covered include:

* The “Right Way” to Leverage College Award Offers Against One Another
* Which Colleges Are Likely to Respond When You Play Them Off Each Other, and Which Are NOT
* Five (5) Arguments to Make If You Have a Strong Student
* Nine (9) Arguments to Make If You Do NOT Have a Strong Student
* Seven (7) Forms of “Special Circumstances” to Detail That Do NOT Fit On A Financial Aid Form
* Six (6) “Hot Buttons” to Press When Appealing a Financial Aid Award
* More!

The only catch – if you feel like calling it – is that this is not a freebie.  I’m asking a small price – a pittance, really – for you to learn information that could literally save you thousands of donuts!

Financial Aid Award APPEALS Webinar

I’m planning on conducting this workshop two or three times, depending on demand – so I suggest you register now even if you haven’t yet heard from all the colleges you’re waiting on!

NOTE TO CLIENTS – Of course I’m handling the appeals process for all clients but I thought you might want the background info – just make sure we have all award letters and book a call with me to strategize!

Sincerely,

- Andy Lockwood

P.S.  The webinar covers ALL the actual techniques I employ in my practice to beg, borrow and steal (OK -maybe not LITERALLY steal) more grants and scholarships after the financial aid award letter is issued.  I’m not holding anything back.  Enroll today while it’s still an option for you.

How to Improve a Stingy Financial Aid Award

Andrew Lockwood, J.D.
Lockwood College Consulting
497 South Oyster Bay Road
Plainview, NY 11803

Dear Subscriber -

I don’t know if you caught “The Announcement” last night on ESPN – a
documentary that told the story of Earvin “Magic” Johnson’s retirement from
the NBA because he contracted  HIV.

It was a powerful story about an emotional event – I remember his press conference vividly.
I thought the guy had maybe two years to live.  He looks healthy as a horse these days – 20
years later!

What struck me most, however, was not his triumph over a deadly disease.

I was blown away by what Magic has done SINCE he retired.  He’s
gone on to become an extremely successful real estate investor and entrepreneur,
as well as the spokesperson for HIV research.  The guy has amassed a fortune,
owning Starbucks and movie theaters and skyscrapers, to name a few of his
holdings.

In other words, his “Plan B” has worked out pretty well since his Plan A was taken
away.

It’s the same in other walks of life and business.   PayPal was in a completely
different space than it is now, for example.  (Remember the Palm Pilot?)

It’s no different in college admissions.  This time of year, high school seniors are tearing open
thick and thin envelopes – and electronic equivalents – finding out what their next four
looks like.  Well, hopefully four!

Even though it’s no fun to be told “you don’t cut it,” a temporary setback can turn out
to be completely irrelevant compared to the rest of your life.

Warren Buffet was rejected from his first choice grad school – things turned out decently
for him.  Many others received a dreaded thin envelope – here’s a short piece listing some
familiar names.

FAMOUS PEOPLE WHO WERE REJECTED BY THEIR TOP CHOICE COLLEGES

So if you or your student is told “Thanks, but no thanks” for applying, don’t despair.
Maybe your Plan B will kick your Plan A in the pants!

Your Correspondent,

- Andy Lockwood

P.S. The best time to work on your Plan A and Plan B is now!   I’m hosting a web-based college
finance workshop this Saturday  – and next!  If you’ve never made it to one this is your chance to
watch from the comfort of your own home – no charge for people on my e-mail list or for anyone
you refer.

REGISTER FOR SATURDAY’S WORKSHOP

Andrew Lockwood, J.D.
Lockwood College Consulting
497 South Oyster Bay Road
Plainview, New York 11803

516.882.5464
www.AndyLockwood.com

www.StudentAthleteMagazine.com

If you wish to stop receiving our emails or change your subscription options, please Manage Your Subscription

The College Success Bulletin Calendar
MARCH

Welcome to this month’s installment of the College Success Bulletin calendar!  As if March is not frenetic
enough thanks to March Madness, it’s also a month that college admissions and financial aid offices put the
full court press on the Class of 2012 – and Juniors are starting to wake up and realize just how close they are
to college!

Let’s get into this month’s calendar.

SENIORS

• Continue to visit colleges that you have not yet seen
• Continue to “demonstrate interest” to schools that you have not yet heard from – remember, demonstrating interest is the LAST thing in your control – and can really help your chances of admission – do it!
• Update the schools on positive test results
• Updates on awards received
• Any other pertinent information that’s come to light since you submitted your apps
• Avoid Senioritis!  Sure, an occasional B is OK for an A student, but don’t become one of those statistics or horror stories of kids who were “unadmitted” when their top choice college updated their transcript!  The horror stories are few and far between, but they are true!
• Parents:  collect and organize the merit-based and need-based financial aid awards as they come in.  If you hope to launch a successful appeal, you’ll need to be organized.
• Note to clients – please fax or mail hard copies into the office so we can help with the appeal process once the dust settles and all awards are received.

JUNIORS

• Sign up for SAT, ACT and SAT II (Subject Tests) to be given in April.
• Click here for dates
• ACT dates
• Revisit your career and “Do What You Are” results in Naviance – THINK about them – brainstorm
• Continue to communicate with colleges – get to know the admissions person assigned to you.  You’re “demonstrating interest” – which helps you get in!
• Brainstorm – even line up – teacher recommendations – the earlier you ask, the more consideration you’ll show.  The more consideration you show, the less cranky – and more grateful – your teachers will be that you’ve demonstrated that you respect their time.
• Recommendations should highlight the way you:
• Add to the classroom experience
• Undertake original projects
• Challenge yourself!
• If there’s one “secret sauce” to successful admissions beyond grades and scores, these are the three ingredients!
• Focus on your internship or other “Atypical Teen Activity” – the thing that makes you different you from all the other 4,000 applicants with the same stats
• Remember, it’s not just about grades and scores
• But it’s not just about doing the typical community service stuff – the same things that everyone else – your competitor-students – do
• You must separate yourself from the herd by engaging in Atypical teen activities.
• Think “Depth, not breadth.”
• Focus on a limited amount of interests
• Show long-term interest with a particular activity
• Highlight activities related to your career interest or goal
• Show leaderships skills and/or ability
• Continue to visit schools/chat with admissions personnel.  Make sure you check out a variety of big, medium and small schools in a mixture of locations – rural, suburban and urban.  Get on their mailing lists!
• PARENTS – finalize your college funding plan – any “moves” you’re contemplating, ect. – Junior year is the ideal time to make them.
• Check out some of the colleges’ net cost calculators – designed to let you see that you may not pay “sticker price” for an expensive school.
• For “inside” info on how to IMPROVE your chances of getting funded  – attend one of my upcoming webinars!  CLICK HERE FOR WEBINAR SCHEDULE
• GOLD CLIENTS – if you have not booked your March student appointment/phone call/skype etc. to “check in,” do so now!

SOPHOMORES

If you are a Gold Member and have not done so already, please contact Lisa to set up this month’s meeting –whether face-to-face or phone/Skype.   Silver Plan (group coaching) members, keep an eye out for an upcoming group call in day – you’ll be notified by e-mail.

• Plan your summer – lock down some internship or enrichment activities
• Remember – think ‘atypical” – not the same stuff that your peers are doing.  Like it or not, you’re engaged in a MARKETING activity – an exercise to make yourself stand out on paper/ in the application process.
• This is NOT the time to be a shrinking violet – think “Shameless Self-Promotion” a la Donald Trump!  At least on paper.
• Plan a school visiting swing for April Break – see big, medium and small schools.  Rural, suburban and urban.
• Speak to your high school guidance counselor about your four year academic plan – revise it if necessary if you’re not on track or have changed priorities.
• Time to think about test prep!  Yaaay!  Start early and often – it will pay off!  Contact the office if you have questions/want referrals.
• PARENTS – get a handle on college costs and how the financial aid process works:  need-based and merit-based awards.  I’m conducting a limited amount of online workshops that you can watch from the comfort of your home/laptop/tablet/Starbucks/hotspot on the highway/etc.  ENROLL HERE

*******************************
30 Second Commercial
I’m currently enrolling people in my new online coaching program.   Normally there’s a small deposit to secure your spot, but to celebrate my favorite time of year – March Madness – I’m saving you big bucks if you’re one of the first 68 to enroll.   Check out the program and enter the coupon code “MARCHMADNESS” to see just how generous I can be!

ANDY’S COACHING PROGRAM

************************************
If you have any questions about what you should be doing now, the resources and tools mentioned or any of the above (I know it’s a lot of stuff) e-mail us and Lisa or I will get back to you (just give me a couple of days to respond).  Her e-mail address is “lisa@andylockwood.com.”

That’s this month’s edition  – I hope you found it informative and valuable.

Your Correspondent,

- Andy Lockwood

Andrew Lockwood, J.D.
Lockwood College Consulting
497 South Oyster Bay Road
Plainview, New York 11803

516.882.5464
www.AndyLockwood.com

www.StudentAthleteMagazine.com

February 2012
Welcome to this month’s installment of the College Success Bulletin’s
College Planning Calendar!

Even though I’m still sulking over the Super Bowl (yes, I’m a huge
Pats fan), I’m not letting that get in the way
of getting you this important information!

SENIORS

Finalize FAFSA and CSS/Profile, other school-specific financial
aid forms if necessary
Continue to  monitor/organize college acceptances/merit  money
offers.  Remember, you might be able to IMPROVE your offers by playing
the schools off against each other!
Remember that getting rejected from your top choice college could
be a blessing – often times your “Plan B” turns out better than your
“Plan A.”  (Look at Paypal – its first business was helping transfer
money from one Palm Pilot to another.  Yes, the Palm Pilot – you kids
ever hear of that?  Its Plan B was to allow money transfers from
computer-to-computer.  I think that worked out OK.)
Continue to “Demonstrate Interest” to the colleges you’re waiting
to hear from (many colleges track your communications and “score” your
level of interest, based on these communications.)
Check out scholarship opportunities – here’s a small list of
scholarships that range from $500 to $25,000!

American Legion Oratorical Contest
Ayn Rand Essay Contest
The Dupont Challenge
National History Day Contest
ThinkQuest Internet Challenge
Young America Creative Patriotic Act Award
www.finaid.org
www.fastweb.com
www.collegeboard.com
www.brokescholar.com
www.collegeanswer.com

NOTE – i list a few others in my book, How to Pay ‘Wholesale’ for College

JUNIORS

Hone in on internships/Atypical Teen Activities for spring and summer
Be mindful of standardized test dates:
SAT:  http://sat.collegeboard.org/register/sat-dates
ACT:  http://www.actstudent.org/regist/dates.html
Get serious about test prep
Meet with your guidance counselor about college selection process
Complete “Do What You Are” and career profiles in Naviance
Think about majors/careers – i.e. “The Next 40” (years AFTER college)
Consider Non-Rear Window Sticker colleges, i.e. those listed in
Colleges That Change Lives – www.ctcl.org
Parents should review funding strategies if not finalized yet
Check out volunteer opportunities for the school year or summer–
preferably in career areas of interest to you
www.idealist.org
www.volunteermatch.org
www.1-800-volunteer.org
Remember, all volunteer activities must be documented

SOPHOMORES

If you are a Gold Member and have not done so already, please
contact the office to set up this month’s meeting –whether
face-to-face or phone/Skype.   There is a TON you can be doing NOW to
prep you for your most critcal year of high school – Junior Year!

UPCOMING WORKSHOPS

My ads have not hit for February’s College Finance Workshop – February
16th, 2012, 7pm at the Nassau Bar Association.

There are still plenty of seats left, but I think by the end of this
week most will be taken.

www.CollegeFinanceWorkshop.com

Please forward this e-mail to anyone you feel could benefit from this
information – that’s what friends are for!

That’s it for this month – back to sulking!

- Andy “Less of a Welker Fan Than Ever” Lockwood

P.S.  I am still interviewing prospective clients for membership
spots.  Please contact Lisa to schedule a f.ree, no-obligations
interview if interested (Juniors and Sophomores).

I couldn’t help but think about college planning
during the AFC and NFC championship games this weekend,
could you?

Bear with me…here’s what I mean.

In each game, mistakes decided the outcome.  My
beloved Pats escaped OT when the Ravens kicker
pulled the tying field goal attempt left.

The Giants capitalized on two special teams errors
by the 49′rs – botched returns.

Each mistake had critical implications, denying the
Ravens and 49′rs Superbowl berths.

In my practice, I see parents – and children  -
committing even more important mistakes every day.

Mistakes like applying to the “wrong” colleges.

Or holding their college savings in the “wrong” types
of places.

Or listening to the WORST sources of information about
college planning – peers, uninformed fellow-parents
and, sadly, most guidance counselors.

The difference between a football mistake and a college
planning mistake is gi-normous:

An NFL guy goofs up, the season ends a week or two early.

But a college planning mistake can have repercussions that
last the rest of your child’s life.

I’m holding two college planning workshops this week – each
will disclose key, costly mistakes you must avoid if you
hope to pay less than “sticker” price for college.  You’ll walk
out of there with a spring in your step, confident that you
have finally started to formulate your gameplan to tackle the
college planning process.

Yes -  “tackle” – pun intended.

The workshop at the Mid-Island Y JCC is slightly over-booked,
but the workshop at the South Huntington Public Library
has approximately 18 spots left (it’s a big auditorium – not
quite as large as Lucas Oil Stadium).

www.CollegeFinanceWorkshop.com

The biggest mistake you can commit is blowing off this
process until you have no more options – and it’s too late
to try anything other than a desperate Hail Mary pass.

Come out to my workshop and you’ll feel like you scored a TD and
the Point After!

www.CollegeFinanceWorkshop.com

Hope to see you this week,

- Andy “The Belichick of College Finance” Lockwood

P.S.  Since I suspect many of you are not Pats fans, I promise NOT
to wear my Vince Wilfork 3XL jersey at the workshop…if you agree
not to bring up 2008!

P.P.S.  “Pass” this along to a friend or family member if you think
they could use it!

Dear Subscriber -

I had a funny thing happen to me the other day.

Lisa (my assistant) told me that she had information that I
wouldn’t like.

“What is it?” I asked.

She hesitated.  “Hofstra won’t let you hold your workshop there any longer.
They said it’s a ‘conflict.’”

Now, I’ve lectured on college finance strategies at Hofstra for
more than three years, I believe.   They’ve always
welcomed me with open arms.

But now, it seems like the elephant in the room has awakened.

Someone over there must have taken a peek at my ads that
talk about how to “Beat the overpriced, rip-off colleges at
their own game,” perhaps.

Geez, how OVERSENSITIVE can you be?!

And it was no use trying to explain, “Um, yeah, I meant
all the OTHER colleges…yeah, they’re the scammers, not
Hofstra of course!”

I didn’t try to fight it, actually – because I typically do not like
banging my head into a cement wall.  Or brown-nosing.

And, truthfully, I knew deep-down that Hofstra’s civic-minded
encouragement of my information was way past its shelf-life.

After all, if you were a college, would you like some “rogue” college
consultant coming onto your campus to teach parents

* How to play colleges off against each other to force them to
cough up more scholarships and grants

* How to legally and ethically “reposition” yourself financially
to become more eligible for grants and other financial aid than
you thought you deserved

* How to multiply your chances of graduating in four years, instead
of the average 5.5 years it currently takes

* Why you’d be a fool not to apply for grants and scholarships even
if you earn a healthy six-figure income

* How to improve a stinky-pants, low ball offer from the financial aid
office, without a gun!

Yeah, I guess that’s why most colleges don’t like me (sniff).

Look, I may cry myself to sleep tonight ,but don’t let this get YOU down.

In fact, you should make it a point to learn this information before the
colleges, student lenders, lobbyists or others force me to keep a lid
on my tips and strategies.

I’m conducting three workshops this month, in Roslyn, Plainview and
Huntington.  There are only a few seats left in Roslyn and Plainview, but
more availability in Huntington (S. Huntington Public Library).

www.lockwoodcollegefunding.com

There is currently no charge for the workshop, but the “stuff” you’ll
walk away with could be worth thousands – even tens of thousands
of ducats – to you.  Don’t miss out.

Your Correspondent,

- Andy Lockwood

P.S.  Please forward this to a friend or family member who feels overwhelmed
about getting in – and paying for – college in today’s tough times – they’ll
thank you for it.  If they – or you – have a Junior or Sophomore in high school,
NOW is the ideal time to get started.

www.lockwoodcollegefunding.com

P.P.S.  If you need more info, please do NOT call or e-mail – we are knee-deep
in “FAFSA Season” and  – please don’t take this the wrong way – Lisa simply does
not have time for chit-chat.  Just sign up for a workshop – chances are, most of your
questions will be answered there!
Lockwood College Consulting, 497 South Oyster Bay Road, Plainview NY, 11803© 2012 All rights reserved.