Congress approves rate hike!

Unfortunately, the price is about to go up on federal education loans! Congress passed the Budget Deficit Act on February 2, 2006, cutting $11.9 billion from the federal student loan program. In order to protect yourself from this substantial rate hike you will need to consolidate your loans NOW to secure this year's lower interest rate. Call us! There is no cost and we'll guide you through it.

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The College Guidance Center was formed by alumni and financial aid experts to increase financial aid awareness by providing FREE services to students, families and universities. We serve the community as a trusted source of information and guidance on the federal loan program for higher education.

Our mission is to educate students on all aspects of the federal loan program so they can reap the greatest benefit and assure themselves a healthy financial future.

With the continued increase in the cost of attendance (tuition, fees, and room and board) and the inability of grants and scholarships to offset this rise, many families struggle to fund their children's education. As a result, students seek alternate ways to pay for college and are graduating carrying a significantly higher amount of debt.

Educating the public as well as financial aid administrators about their options and benefits of the federal loan program is vital to the success of our countries education system. Families are under-informed and unprepared to make smart decisions regarding college funding. University staff is often overworked and unable to keep up with the important congressional changes that deeply impact a student's repayment success. Many students lack the basic skills to manage their increasing debt loads. Perhaps it is a parent using credit cards to fund an education or a school official warning students that they will lose their federal benefits if they consolidate.

The confusion is vast, misses few, and is very harmful, not only to students who can ruin their financial futures, but also for educators who must protect their cohort default rates and remain a source of sound advice.

College Guidance Center volunteers and professional staff work together to provide the guidance and support so desperately needed, through outreach programs, entrance and exit interviews, and one-on-one counseling.

INVESTING IN OUR COMMUNITIES AND OUR FUTURES!

Services to Financial Aid Office

• School-specific services designed to minimize the work load of Financial Aid Offices.
• One-on-One guidance to students through exit interviews and repayment counseling.
• Offer seminars including: financial management, responsible repayment, and default prevention.
• Work together with school in protecting their cohort default rate, including in some cases calling at risk students who are likely to default on their loans

Services to Students

• Financial counseling and student loan debt management/default prevention information
• The value of good credit: managing personal debt, credit cards, and staying financially fit
• Loan forgiveness programs
• Exit counseling and repayment strategies
• Understanding your federal loan benefits; deferment, forbearance, death and disability, etc.
• Rehabilitation/curing defaulted loans
• Consolidation - Is it right for you? We can guide you through the process and help you weigh the pros and cons
• Free Consolidation preparation and filing
• We value the commitment students have made to bettering their future and our communities. To promote and encourage this we aggressively seek ways to help students find forgiveness programs in the areas they are working in.

Services to Parents

• The single most important service we provide to parents is the one-on-one time you will have with a financial aid counselor who will ensure that you are on track in the financial aid process, reminding you of important deadlines, guiding you through the process, and explaining each step to you.
• Education is one of the most significant investments you can ever give your children. We will help you find a way fund your family's dreams and take the first step in capturing your future.