Key Takeaways
- College planning isn’t just about admissions—it’s about fit, cost, and strategy. CBRG helps families align academic, social, and financial goals to avoid common (and costly) mistakes.
- Most families qualify for more aid than they think. With over $125 billion in financial aid distributed annually, CBRG helps unlock both need- and merit-based opportunities.
- Expert guidance makes a measurable financial difference. From test prep to negotiating final aid offers, CBRG empowers families to pay wholesale, not retail, for college.
Video Transcript
The stress associated with college during a child’s junior and senior year of high school is daunting. Figuring out how to pay for it without going broke can be a nightmare for parents. Parents and students need a guide with the expertise to help them navigate this complex process—finding the right college and paying for it all without going broke.
College Benefits Research Group creates the structure and provides the tools for gaining control of this chaotic experience.
Why Students Choose to Go to School
First of all, students are up against competition like never before. There are so many more tools out there for learning how to take tests, and that many more students entering the fray. You can’t just graduate from high school and “wing it” the same way as in the past.
If you’re not preparing, if you’re not really focused on this, there’s a good chance you may not get into the schools you’d like to attend.
The second thing is—they really don’t know why they’re going to school. If they understood their purpose for going to college, it would help them figure out the right place, the right timing, and how long it’ll take to graduate. Too many are just finding a place to go because high school is over.
The Pressure to Choose the “Best” School
The process of finding the right college that fits the student and the family is harder than ever. With over 3,000 colleges in the country, most families are picking schools based on reputation, sports teams, or marketing—not fit.
Parents often feel pressure to send their kids to what they perceive as the “best” school, thinking it’s a ticket to success. But often, it’s just a ticket to high debt and financial stress.
Academic, Social, and Financial Fit
We break college selection down into three major areas:
- Academic fit
- Social fit
- Financial fit for the family
Being proactive in all three areas can help families find schools that are ideal for the student and the budget. But with tuition at $40,000–$60,000 per year at some schools—and more students taking five or six years to graduate—the stakes are high.
Poor fit can lead to changes in major or school, unexpected delays, and unplanned expenses.
Understanding Financial Aid
One of the biggest mistakes parents make is not applying for financial aid because they assume they won’t qualify.
Last year, over $125 billion in financial aid was distributed—much of it to middle-class families. That includes both loans and grants, and many families don’t understand the distinction.
Grants—free money—are often given out directly by schools, particularly private institutions. So, while private colleges may have higher sticker prices, they often provide more merit-based aid than public schools.
What You Learn in Our Workshops
We call our workshops a “foundations course.” They’re free and tremendously valuable—whether or not someone becomes a client.
Attendees learn:
- Questions to ask colleges on visits
- How colleges evaluate students and finances
- The admissions process
- Financial planning strategies
How CBRG Supports Families
We help with:
- SAT and ACT prep
- Career assessments to explore aptitudes and interests
- College matching based on academic and social fit
- Financial aid form completion (FAFSA, CSS Profile, institutional forms)
- Essay coaching, interview prep, and resumes
Making Smart Final Decisions
At the end of the process, we help families:
- Evaluate award letters
- Understand when to appeal for more aid
- Compare offers
- Negotiate between schools if necessary
This is where real money is at stake, and where many parents feel overwhelmed. We help them navigate this “murky water” so they can make the best financial and academic decisions.
Pay Wholesale, Not Retail
The #1 reason families come to CBRG is the cost of college. We show them how to pay wholesale, not retail, by becoming educated consumers.
We help families define what they want, understand where to get it, and know what schools are truly offering.
Related CBRG Blog Resources
- Avoiding College Funding Pitfalls
- CBRG Simplifies Financial Aid for Families
- Why College Planning Specialists?
- The Power of a Personalized College Plan
Schedule Your Free Consultation
Don’t wait until senior year to discover you’ve missed key opportunities—or overpaid for college. Let CBRG guide your family with a clear, proven process from planning to payment.
Book your free consultation today and start building a smarter college strategy for your student—and your wallet.