Yes, you can afford college.

Let me show you how…

🛑 Warning: Reading this may result in saving thousands on college costs. Proceed wisely.

TO SET UP YOUR FIRST CONSULTATION

At last…a book that encourages students to dream big as they envision their future careers! Mr. Freedman lays out a path on his “yellow brick road” in an easy-to-follow and humorous guide on how to achieve success in pursuit of a beneficial college experience. Topics include: self-assessment, college program evaluation, financing, scholarships, and more. I highly recommend this book to all students and families looking to make college happen.
Jeannine Washburn Brayman, Headmaster (Ret) CAS Harvard Graduate School of Education; Member, Harvard Principals Center

This up-to-date masterpiece simplifies the complexities of making college happen. A must-read for students, parents, grandparents, and professionals, it provides clear guidance, case studies, and essential insights on attitude, communication, financing, loans, and career readiness. Packed with valuable lessons to avoid costly mistakes, this book is a small investment with a high return.
Mark Pizzi, Abington

Welcome to Financial Aid Consulting

RELAX — you’ve found a unique, info-packed site to guide you on the best paths to college affordability and value. Remember, the FAFSA is just one step in the process, not the starting point.

The 3D’s to College

DILIGENCE involves thorough research, family discussions about careers, colleges, and financial responsibilities. It includes virtual college tours, student feedback, acceptance and retention stats, campus visits, and consulting financial aid and legal professionals.

DOING is the execution phase — visiting campuses, networking with students, meeting counselors, narrowing choices, and completing financial aid forms.

DECISION-MAKING requires analyzing financial aid offers, appealing for better awards, and assessing affordability and return on investment—often alongside finding employment to cover costs.

Our Future Generations

I take pride in knowing that my work has helped younger generations to become doctors, lawyers, teachers, engineers, white and blue-collar professionals, military officers, plumbers, electricians, landscapers, and even entrepreneurs.

Reducing Anxiety

  • Overcoming the fear of the unknown

  • Improving family communications

  • Clarifying financial responsibilities

  • Exploring alternatives

Financial Aid Forms

  • Preparation

  • Review completed forms

  • Analysis

  • Tax analysis

  • Review output reports

  • How to maximize financial aid

  • Student Aid Index review  

  • “What If” Scenarios

  • Scheduling and follow-up

Staying Organized and In Control

  • Timetables

  • Spreadsheet analysis

  • Progressive review and follow up

  • Scholarship searches

  • Exploring scholarship opportunities

  • Brainstorming qualifications and skills

  • Identifying the best scholarship choices

College Planning

  • Helping students establish criteria for researching colleges.

  • Preparing for campus visits

  • Spreadsheet analytics

  • Scholarship Searching

  • Exploring 4-year college alternatives

Financial Aid Award Analysis

  • Understanding what it means

  • Crunching the numbers

  • Evaluating the available options

  • Strategizing how to get more.

Writing Powerful Appeal Letters

  • Defining what is needed

  • Effectively presenting your case.

  • Preparing for professional judgment   

SET UP YOUR FIRST CONSULTATION

Testimonials

“Howard has done it all! As an educator, I applaud his contribution to the field of education. I cannot thank Mr. Freedman enough for making the task of readying kids for college and keeping them current much easier, even more so for  Dr. Robert ”  Dr. Robert Burrelli.

“We were extremely naive going into the process and now are much more prepared and comfortable with the logistics and details. Freedman breaks it all down succinctly and clearly. As a result, we were able to take advantage of both income-based aid and programs in the merit-based aid world, which are not entirely dependent on grades, such as geographic diversity grants” Mike Mannis, Attorney.

“We appreciated Howard’s expertise and communicative style when assisting us with completing our daughter’s FAFSA and CSS Profile. He provided excellent service in a non-judgmental manner, and we would not hesitate to recommend Howard to other families who would benefit from someone who knows the ins and outs of financial aid forms.” Mary Brown-Jones, Guidance Counsellor

“As a retired Boston Police Officer, I worried that college for my son would be very expensive and leave him with many student loans after graduation. Howard seized every opportunity to save us money and coached us through the complexities of applying for and maximizing our financial aid package. We are forever grateful for his help.” Audrey Fleming

“Howard Freedman has done an outstanding job helping to make college financing possible for my three daughters, even when obstacles made it look impossible. I recommend him as one of the foremost experts in his field, and his book exemplifies his wealth of knowledge and dedication to his profession.” Jack B. Garvey, Webmaster, Little Rock School District, Little Rock, Arkansas.

Colleagues

“In all my years of collaboration with organization representatives, I have been associated with a more professional, competent, concerned, dedicated, ethically responsible person and congenial individual than Howard Freedman. His wise consultation and agreeable interpersonal style were vital in averting conflict among students and institutions.” William Quill, Professor of Counselling Psychology, Coordinator of the School Counselling program, Northeastern University

‘Howard’s affable demeanor as ACCESS Program Manager and adviser for the students and parents from various backgrounds  often confused by the financial aid process enhanced his effectiveness on what they needed to accomplish.” Maureen O’Donnell, Guidance Counselor, Boston Community Leadership Academy, Boston Public Schools

Making College Happen, Readers,

“Great manual, very helpful. All parents should read this book by the student’s sophomore year to get to a selected college. I have been an attorney for over 30 years and am very good at research and work, yet I learned how difficult it is to understand and deal with financial aid. They are not easy to deal with, and this manual helps and would help you, too. I very highly recommend it.” Brian Mahoney, Attorney

“I found this book to be a "must have" for any parent or grandparent interested in better understanding all the questions regarding funding their child's/grandchild's college education. Mr. Freedman unveils many surprising misconceptions regarding the most cost-effective options available to finance a college education and the risks associated with all the options. This book is well referenced, but if you want to dive deeper, review Mr. Freedman's website at http://www.financialaidconsulting.com.” Marc Dershowitz, Geologist

"Making College Happen is a practical, well-organized guide that demystifies the complexities of planning for your student's continuing education. Howard’s approach is refreshing and insightful, using his many years of experience as a financial aid consultant. He divides the process of planning and financing college into reasonable and timely steps to make informative educational and financial decisions.” Margaret Myers, Retired Principal.

“Making College Happen is worth its weight in gold’’ Dr. Robert Burrelli.

This book is topical, well written, and approaches the many aspects of financing a college education with an open mind. It is highly recommended for any parent going through the sometimes scary and confusing college application and financing process. A unique holistic view that will help you lower stress levels and avoid costly mistakes when applying for college financial aid. As a financial advisor, I’ll put it on my reference shelf and recommend my fellow advisors to do the same.’-Harry Savas, Financial Advisor.