College Planning Workshops & Strategy Sessions

Expert Guidance. Practical Strategies. Smarter College Decisions.

Preparing for college can feel overwhelming.

Between financial aid, scholarships, college costs, student loans, admissions timelines, and changing financial circumstances, many families find themselves wondering:

  • Where do we start?

  • How much will college actually cost?

  • Will we qualify for financial aid?

  • How do scholarships really work?

  • How much should we borrow, if any?

  • Are we making costly mistakes without realizing it?

Affordable guidance throughout high school

Thank you Vicki at College Financial Prep!  You made the financial piece of the college process easy to understand and simple to submit and save money!  The service you provide is invaluable!  M.S., NY

Our College Planning Workshops & Strategy Sessions were created to provide families with affordable access to expert guidance throughout the high school years.

Rather than trying to figure everything out on your own, attend the sessions most relevant to your family's needs and gain practical strategies that can help you reduce college costs, maximize financial aid opportunities, and make informed decisions with confidence.

No membership. No long-term commitment. Simply register for the sessions that fit your needs.

We followed your advice and she got the financial aid she needed!!! Thank you for your help!! MM, NY

Upcoming Sessions

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Each session focuses on a specific topic and includes practical education, actionable strategies, and live Q&A.

Parents may attend individual sessions or participate in multiple sessions throughout their student's high school years.

Who Should Attend?

These workshops are designed for parents of students in grades 9-12 who want to:

✓ Better understand the college planning process

✓ Learn how to develop a smart college list

✓ Reduce the cost of college

✓ Learn how financial aid really works

✓ Understand merit aid and scholarship opportunities

✓ Develop a realistic college budget

✓ Minimize student loan debt

✓ Prepare for FAFSA and CSS Profile filing

✓ Compare financial aid offers

✓ Navigate college planning after divorce, separation, remarriage, or the loss of a spouse

✓ Make more informed financial decisions throughout the college journey

Whether your student is just entering high school or preparing to enroll in college, these sessions can help your family move forward with greater clarity and confidence

What You'll Learn

Topics vary throughout the year and may include:

College Planning From a Financial Perspective

Learn how college costs are determined, how financial aid formulas work, and how strategic planning can potentially reduce your family's out-of-pocket expenses.

Scholarships & Merit Aid

Understand the role scholarships play in college affordability and learn how to identify colleges most likely to offer merit-based aid to your student.

FAFSA Preparation

Learn what information you'll need, common filing mistakes to avoid, and how to prepare before applications open.

CSS Profile & Institutional Aid

Gain a better understanding of how colleges using the CSS Profile evaluate family finances and what separated, divorced, remarried, and blended families need to know.

Understanding Financial Aid Awards

Learn how to compare award letters, identify potential gaps, and determine whether an appeal may be appropriate.

Paying for College

Explore strategies involving savings, cash flow, payment plans, student loans, Parent PLUS Loans, and other funding options.

College Planning for Divorced & Separated Parents

Learn how divorce, separation, remarriage, and multiple-household situations can impact financial aid eligibility and college affordability.

Student Loans & Parent Borrowing

Understand the differences between federal student loans, Parent PLUS Loans, and private loans, and how to make informed borrowing decisions.

What Is Included?

Each session includes:

✓ Live instruction

✓ Practical, actionable strategies

✓ Real-world examples

✓ Opportunity for Q&A

✓ Action steps you can implement immediately

✓ Access to session materials (when applicable)

Some sessions may also include worksheets, planning tools, or checklists to help you take action.

Why Families Attend

The decisions families make regarding college lists, financial aid applications, scholarships, appeals, and borrowing can affect college costs by thousands—and sometimes tens of thousands—of dollars.

These sessions are designed to help families:

  • Avoid common mistakes

  • Reduce stress and uncertainty

  • Make informed financial decisions

  • Better understand their options

  • Develop a realistic plan for paying for college

  • Feel more confident throughout the process

Because college planning is about far more than simply completing forms.

It's about creating a strategy that works for your family.

Need Personalized Guidance?

While our workshops provide valuable education and support, some families benefit from individualized planning.

For families seeking personalized recommendations based on their unique financial circumstances, College Financial Prep also offers:

College Financial Strategy Session

A private one-hour consultation that includes a review of your family's financial situation, college goals, financial aid opportunities, and personalized recommendations.

Full-Service College Financial Prep Package

Comprehensive support through the entire college planning and financial aid process, including FAFSA, CSS Profile, award analysis, appeals, loan guidance, and ongoing support through your student's college decision process.


Ready to Join Us?

Choose the session that best fits your family's needs and gain the knowledge, strategy, and confidence to make smarter college planning decisions.

View Upcoming Sessions & Register Today

What’s Included

Monthly Sunday Strategy Session

Join Vicki Vollweiler live each month for an educational strategy session focused on timely college planning topics such as:

  • How To Save Money On The Cost Of College

  • Building A Financially Smart College List

  • FAFSA & Financial Aid Strategy including how to position yourself before applying

  • CSS Profile Guidance

  • Scholarships & Grants

  • Understanding Financial Aid Offers

  • Filing Appeals (due to changes in circumstances) & Negotiating With Colleges

  • Student & Parent Loan Guidance

  • College Decision-Making

  • Common Mistakes Families Make

  • Planning Ahead In 10th & 11th Grade

  • Communicating with your child

  • Divorce and College Planning

Sessions are educational, supportive, and designed to help parents feel more confident and prepared.


Mid-Monthly Office Hour / Parent Q&A

Each month, members may attend a mid-month live office hour session with Vicki to ask general college planning and financial aid questions in a supportive group environment.

This is a great opportunity to:

  • receive guidance

  • ask questions

  • hear from other parents

  • stay informed throughout the process


Replay Library

Can’t attend live?

All sessions are recorded so you may watch at your convenience.

As a member, you will have access to the growing replay library throughout your child’s high school journey.


Downloadable Resources & Templates

Members will receive helpful college planning tools and resources throughout the year, which may include:

  • timelines

  • checklists

  • scholarship trackers

  • financial aid worksheets

  • organization templates

  • appeal guidance

  • student loan information


Important To Know

Parents are welcome to join anytime during their child's high school years.

All members have access to all meetings, replays, downloads, etc. through their child's high school graduation.

Sunday Strategy Sessions™ is educational group guidance and support.

Families remain responsible for completing and submitting their own financial aid applications and materials. Personalized document preparation, financial aid application completion and individualized financial review services are available separately through one-on-one consulting and full-service support.

Supportive, judgment-free environment

Read Our Reviews On Google!

Separated, Divorced & Widowed College Planning Families Welcome

Many separated, divorced, remarried, widowed and single parents participate in Sunday Strategy Sessions™.

Additional divorce-specific support and resources are also available with this program.

Bonus: All members will be able to download Vicki's book, College Planning For Divorced and Widowed Parents, for free as a member of Sunday Strategy Sessions.

Important Program Notes

Sunday Strategy Sessions are educational group sessions and are not intended to replace individualized consulting.

To maintain fairness and boundaries for all members:

  • personal document review is not included

  • FAFSA/CSS Profile completion services are not offered during sessions

  • personalized financial analysis is not included

  • highly individualized situations may require private consulting

One-on-one consulting and strategy services are available separately for families who need more personalized support.

No long-term monthly subscription required

Why Families Love This Type Of Support

Many families do not necessarily need full-service support but they also do not want to navigate this process completely on their own.

The Sunday Strategy Sessions provide ongoing education, structure, and expert guidance during one of the most financially and emotionally stressful years for families.

And often, avoiding even one major mistake in the financial aid or college planning process can save families far more than the cost of the program itself.

Vicki was exceptionally informative, accessible and helpful! She was a pleasure to work with and I highly recommend her! L.M., NJ

Investment

Sunday Strategy Sessions

One-Time Enrollment: $575

Or 3 payments of $225

Your enrollment includes:

  • monthly Sunday Strategy Sessions™

  • mid-monthly office hours

  • replay access

  • downloadable resources

  • ongoing support through your child’s high school graduation

Designed for busy parents

Our goal is for families to feel:

  • more confident

  • more informed

  • less stressed

  • better prepared financially

  • excited about their student’s future

Learn at your own pace with replay access

Frequently asked questions

You've got questions. We've got answers.

Are these sessions live?

Yes. Sessions are held live on Zoom.

Will recordings be available?

Yes. Replays are typically shared after the session.

Can I ask questions?

General questions related to the session topic are welcome during our Q&A sessions.

Specific financial situations requiring individualized review may require private consulting support.

Do I need to attend every session?

No. Families may attend any or all of the sessions that best fit their needs. Replays will be available of all sessions for the participant's review.

Ready To Feel More Confident About College Planning?

Join parents across the country who want ongoing guidance, practical education and trusted support throughout the college planning journey.

Meet Your Host

Vicki Vollweiler is the founder of College Financial Prep and specializes in helping families better understand financial aid, reduce college costs and navigate the college planning process with less stress and more confidence.

She has worked with families across the country including many separated, divorced and remarried households navigating unique college planning concerns.

As a parent herself, Vicki understands both the financial and emotional stress families experience during the college planning process. She has helped families save thousands — and in some cases hundreds of thousands — of dollars on the cost of college through financial aid strategy, planning, appeals, scholarships, and smart decision-making.

Her approach is warm, supportive, educational, and focused on helping families feel less overwhelmed and more empowered.

Navigating the financial side of college can be overwhelming, but Vicki made the process clear, manageable, and even empowering. She brings a wealth of knowledge, practical tools, and genuine care to every conversation. Her strategies helped us uncover scholarships, grants, and funding options we never knew existed—and saved us thousands of dollars in potential debt. Donna V. NY

Not Sure Where to Start?

Schedule a free call! We'll discuss your situation and guide you towards appropriate options. The goal is always to save money on the cost of college.