Student Success
Embrace The Journey
•
Success Lies Ahead
•
Each Step Matters
•
Embrace The Journey • Success Lies Ahead • Each Step Matters •
“We're a family with a household income of $270,000 per year and a Student Aid Index (SAI) of $79,000. When it came to financing our children's college education, we knew we needed a smart strategy. That's when we turned to Kapeco College Funding for guidance.
Kapeco introduced us to the concept of using what they call the “Retirement Scholarship” to fund our children's education while securing our retirement. With their expert advice, we crafted a plan that not only eased the financial burden of college but also ensured our long-term financial stability.
Thanks to Kapeco's strategies, we're on track to receive a full refund of any out-of-pocket college expenses to restore our retirement. It's truly a game-changer for our family's financial future.
Moreover, Kapeco helped us navigate the college selection process, providing valuable insights and recommendations. As a result, our two children are now attending prestigious institutions Stanford University and Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), pursuing their dreams without the weight of overwhelming student debt.
We're incredibly grateful for Kapeco's expertise and support. They've not only helped us achieve our college funding goals but have also empowered us to build a brighter future for our family.”
-Mary Santino
A family from Texas had a high-achieving student in the top 6% of her high school class. Their Expected Family Contribution (EFC) was $50,787. Initially, they planned for her to attend the University of Texas at Austin due to her high grades and class rank, expecting to pay about $27,200.
Through our Student Positioning Program (SPP), they discovered the student preferred a smaller college environment but was concerned about cost. Encouraged to look out of state, they found Cornell College in Iowa, which met all her criteria. After visiting and loving the campus, she was accepted.
Cornell College's total cost was $53,706, but she received a $31,500 merit scholarship and a $5,600 student loan offer. With both parts of the award accepted, the family's out-of-pocket cost was $17,236, saving them $10,000 per year compared to UT Austin.
Despite a parent income of $220,000 and minimal assets, they found the right college for the right reasons, thanks to our program."
A Houston family with three children sought college guidance from us for their eldest daughter, our client. With parents earning an Adjusted Gross Income of $211,200 and assets of $152,000, their Student Aid Index(SAI) stood at $41,000. Despite this, the student showcased impressive credentials, boasting an SAT score of 1410 and a weighted GPA of 4.43.
We followed the standard procedure, including career assessments, college searches, and utilizing the Student Positioning Program. We crafted a list of twelve prospective colleges and proceeded with applications. Remarkably, she received acceptance letters from all and garnered enticing financial aid offers.
While many believe standardized test scores are optional for admissions, I emphasize their importance for affordability. This case underscores that a strong GPA combined with an excellent SAT score can significantly impact college affordability. The family chose the University of Alabama, with an out-of-state cost of $52,413. However, they received a generous $28,500 award for the freshman year, renewable annually for three more years. Thus, attending this out-of-state public university costs them less than an in-state public college back home.
This success story exemplifies the benefits of choosing the right college for the right reasons. I am grateful to this family for demonstrating that a stellar GPA and SAT score can open doors to remarkable opportunities.
A Houston family with an SAI of $135,000 sought college guidance for their student with a 1270 SAT and 3.50 GPA. They had $25,800 saved in a 529 plan and were unsure about career goals, considering law or politics. Our counseling boosted the student's career confidence.
Using the Student Positioning Program (SPP), we identified 55 potential colleges, narrowing it down to 10. After visits and financial aid consultations, the student applied to nine colleges.
The family chose Sewanee, University of the South in TN. With a cost of attendance at $68,704, the student received a $16,000 merit scholarship and $31,500 Institutional Aid, totaling $37,500.
The family's feedback highlighted the program's value in finding the right fit and maximizing resources, including SAT prep that boosted scores by 160 points. The parent expressed gratitude for the support in navigating college decisions and financial aid.
This California family has two kids; one in college and a high-achieving younger child with a 4.2 GPA and a 26 ACT score.
Financially, the parents earn $179,000 with $15,500 in taxes. They have $63,500 in assets and $1.5 million in retirement. Their SAI from the FAFSA is $23,935.
We helped the family choose colleges, assisted with applications, and the student got accepted to several schools.
We focused on financial awards and appeals, using Trinity University in Texas as an example. With a cost of $68,524 and an SAI of $23,935, the initial award was $41,140. After our appeal, it increased to $49,670.
This award exceeded their needs by $25,753, making private university attendance cheaper than in-state public school.
The father was pleased with our help in making college more affordable. This case highlights the value of professional guidance in the college and financial aid process.
Family from Austin, Texas, with two kids and a combined income of $135,000. They paid $12,800 in taxes, and they have savings of $161,000 plus $672,000 in retirement.
Their oldest child had strong grades, a 4.01 GPA, and scored 1220 on the SAT. They applied to six colleges and got accepted to all of them. Their top choice offered a good financial aid package, but they asked for an extra $8,200 and got it after appealing with some help.
Here's why this is impressive: their Student Aid Index (SAI) was $65,000. The out-of-state tuition was $42,000. Initially, they were offered $20,500, but after the appeal, they received $28,700.
Now, their child is attending the University of Nebraska – Lincoln at a great price that matches their income and savings. It just shows that a polite appeal can make a big difference.
This family from California consists of two parents and their child. They have an income over $175,000 but only $6,000 in savings. Their child Tommy, got into the University of Notre Dame to play soccer, and it was the only college they applied to. Notre Dame is one of the few schools that covers 100% of a student's financial need.
Their financial aid application said they could contribute $44,175 (SAI), while Notre Dame's total cost for a year was $80,311. Normally, they'd have to cover the difference of $36,136 themselves.
However, with some help from the Kapeco College Funding , they appealed their financial aid offer. Notre Dame then increased their aid to give them a total package of $75,600! The family was thrilled with this support.
Now, their child is playing soccer at Notre Dame for a much lower cost than they expected. It's a great outcome thanks to the appeal and extra aid."
Our highest plan at the Kapeco College Funding covers everything from career assessment to college search. The family used our Student Positioning Program and was very pleased with the results. They narrowed down their list of colleges and applied to their top choices.
When it came to financial aid, their income was $506,500, so they didn't qualify for need-based aid. However, we encouraged them to apply anyway, as it could help them get merit-based scholarships. Their Student Aid Index (SAI) was $131,000.
For Awards Analysis, the scholarships they received were impressive. Rice University offered them a great financial aid package of $61,564. The total cost was $77,360, leaving them with a balance of $15,796 after aid. Surprisingly, this was less than what they would have paid at The University of Texas.
The family was thrilled with our services and had this to say:
“Our daughter is thriving at Rice University, majoring in international business and psychology with a 4.0 GPA. She's in the honors college and loves the campus environment, sports culture, and accessible professors.”
We helped a family of four from Texas, including a set of twins. The Family had a Student Aid Index (SAI) of $61,500, a 1300 SAT score, and a 4.34 weighted GPA. Their parents had a good income but were concerned about paying for both twins' college at the same time.
The student followed our process at the Kapeco. We started with a career assessment and the student chose Radio/Television Studies as his major. We found 35 colleges that matched his interests, and he narrowed it down to 15 colleges using our program. He applied early to all of them.
Excitingly, she got accepted to all 12 colleges she applied to and received some great award letters. The top choice offered her a good award, but her father wanted to appeal due to their unique housing situation. The appeal was successful, reducing the cost from $43,000 to $31,000.
He also received an excellent award from the University of Kansas, with a total cost of attendance at $23,000 after a $16,000 merit scholarship. The father found our system's reports helpful for comparing award letters.
In the end, he chose the University of Kansas because it was substantially below their SAI of $61,500. His twin is also attending the University of Kansas for the same price. Amazing results
As the Director of the Kapeco College Funding, I've seen many families navigate the college process successfully with our help. Here's a story about a family who really took advantage of our services.
This family has four members with two kids. Their eldest child was a top student with a GPA of 4.41, an SAT score of 1550, and an ACT score of 35. The parents' income was $251,500, and they had assets totaling $503,350, plus $763,500 in retirement savings.
Despite their strong financial situation and impressive student stats, they were open to our advice. They listened carefully and followed our recommendations.
Our financial planner helped them set better retirement goals, which adjusted their Student Aid Index (SAI) to $73,000. Our Student Positioner narrowed down a list of colleges from hundreds to just six. Our service center consultant answered 73 of their questions over a year, providing unmatched support.
The family used our College Planning Sessions to stay informed and confident. They also used our Awards Analysis Program to understand college costs better. With our help, they successfully appealed their financial aid offers.
In the end, the family saved an estimated $111,000 per year on college costs! While their strong financial situation might make some jealous, their success came from listening to our advice every step of the way.
This family's story shows that our system works for families of all sizes and financial situations. Listening to our advice can lead to extraordinary results!
A family of four from Texas faced medical issues while navigating the college process for their student, set to attend in the 2023-2024 school year. Despite challenges, their Expected Family Contribution (EFC) was $22,151.
The student initially scored 1100 on the SAT but improved to 1470 after encouragement and retaking the test. With a 4.0 GPA, the student was advised to apply to schools where they ranked in the top 25% and to seek those offering substantial need-based aid.
Using our Student Positioning Program, the student quickly identified schools meeting both criteria. Although other colleges offered generous scholarships, the student chose one meeting 93% of their financial need. Financial aid forms were completed accurately and on time.
Ultimately, the family's net cost for college was $11,666 per year, a significant savings compared to the total cost of $67,346. Beyond financial benefits, the mother credits us with relieving her stress by providing prompt and helpful answers to her questions.
This case underscores the importance of education and informed decision-making. By following our advice, the family found a college that met their needs both academically and financially."
