How We Help

College planning can feel overwhelming—especially when finances, deadlines, and family dynamics collide.

At College Financial Prep, our primary focus is helping families make smart financial decisions about college so they can reduce stress, avoid costly mistakes, and save as much money as possible.

Everything we do is designed to bring clarity, structure, and confidence to the process.

Vicki is an amazing advocate with much wisdom and a heart of gold. She understands the intersection of the college application process and related finances (including the FAFSA), co-parenting, and the complexities and stress of both. She has helped my son on his path toward his top school, and helped me to get him there with my sanity intact. Cannot recommend her highly enough.

Our Core Focus: College Costs & Financial Aid

Most families come to us with one big concern: “How are we going to pay for this?”

We help you answer that question—clearly and realistically—before decisions are locked in.

We Help Families:

  • Understand the true cost of college

  • Avoid common financial aid mistakes

  • Navigate FAFSA and CSS Profile correctly

  • Plan strategically for scholarships and appeals

  • Make informed decisions about student loans

  • Reduce both financial and emotional stress

This is especially important for families who are divorced, separated, remarried, widowed, or single—where the rules and dynamics are often more complex.

How Our Process Works

1️⃣ Plan Smart

We start by helping you understand your financial picture and your options.

This includes:

  • College cost projections

  • Understanding how financial aid works for your family

  • Clarifying who files which applications

  • Identifying potential red flags early

The goal is to make sure you’re planning with real numbers, not assumptions.


2️⃣ Apply Strategically

We guide families through the financial aid process step by step, with special attention to divorce-specific scenarios.

Support includes:

  • FAFSA guidance

  • CSS Profile guidance (when required)

  • Understanding which parent’s information is used

  • Avoiding mistakes that can reduce aid eligibility

You don’t need to become an expert—we help you focus on what actually matters.


3️⃣ Reduce the Final Cost

Once applications are submitted and offers are received, we help families make smart next-step decisions.

This includes:

  • Reviewing and comparing financial aid award letters

  • Developing an appeal strategy when appropriate

  • Identifying private scholarship opportunities

  • Understanding student loan options and trade-offs

This is where many families save tens of thousands of dollars—often after thinking their options were limited.

Download A FREE Scholarship Search Tracker

This easy-to-use tool includes top scholarship databases and space to track deadlines, award amounts and more. Customize it to fit your needs—and help to maximize opportunities!

Supporting Services: College Advising, Essay Prep & Test Prep

While finances are our core focus when working with parents, we also support students academically through trusted services that complement the financial plan.

College Advising, Essay Preparation, Test Prep

We help students:

  • Build balanced college lists (safety, match, reach)

  • Explore majors and career interests

  • Understand how college choice impacts cost

  • Complete college applications

  • Develop resumes

  • Essay brainstorming and topic development

  • Structure and storytelling

  • Polishing final drafts

  • English and Math one-on-one Test Prep

Smart college choices and smart financial planning go hand in hand.

We help parents save thousands - with less stress!

A Coordinated, One-Stop Approach

One of the biggest advantages of College Financial Prep is that families don’t have to coordinate multiple providers on their own.

We take a big-picture view:

  • Financial planning

  • College selection

  • Academic preparation

  • Family dynamics

This creates fewer gaps, decisions, and far less stress.


Who We Serve

We typically work most with families who:

  • Have students in 11th or 12th grade or already in college

  • Want to be proactive—not reactive

  • Value guidance and clarity over guesswork

  • Are navigating complex family dynamics

(Happily married and partnered families are also welcome!)

Not Sure Where to Start?

You don’t need to know exactly what help you need.

Most families don’t.

A short conversation is often enough to clarify next steps and determine the best level of support.

👉 Book a Free 10-Minute Call

College planning doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. With the right guidance from College Financial Prep, it can feel manageable—and even empowering.