Sentinel College Funding helps parents obtain as  much free money as possible through need based aid, positioning based aid and  "tax based" aid.  All parents are eligible to obtain some amount of free  money from one or two of those sources.  We help maximize that.

Sentinel also helps parents design a plan to pay for  college in the most efficient way possible.  In some cases this process  alone can save a family tens of thousands of dollars.

Some of our services include the following.

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• EFC (Estimated Family Contribution) Analysis – We provide a complete analysis of your initial and adjusted EFC using both Federal and Institutional Methodology.
  
  
• Recommendations to Reduce Your EFC – We show you how to take advantage of strategies that will enable you to legally and ethically reduce your EFC and maximize the amount of aid for which you are eligible.
  
  
• Implementation of Strategies to Reduce Your EFC – We assist in the implementation of the above strategies.
  
  
• College Planning Checklist – The College Planning Checklist helps you stay on track throughout the entire financial aid process ensuring there are no surprises or missed deadlines.
  
  
• College Statistics – We provide you with important statistics, including your expected out-of-pocket costs, for each college you have requested.  We will provide financial aid award estimates including the amount of free money and loans you should receive, as well as recommending additional schools to be considered that are a good match for your student AND generous with their grant monies.  Additional colleges may be added at any time.
  
  
• College Payment Plan – We design a plan to show you the most cost effective way to fund the out-of-pocket costs for all your children.  Do not borrow any money or begin paying for college without having a plan in place!
  
  
• Financial Strategies – We provide a financial planning report, analyzing all financial areas as they relate to college, and include strategies to improve your cash flow budget, tax situations, retirement, and other areas of financial management.
  
  
• Assessment/Aptitude Evaluation – Unlimited license to access the best online career /college planning tools available.  This interactive self-directed website is the most comprehensive database available for career/college planning.
  
  
• Student Positioning Session – We conduct a phone meeting with the student and parent(s) to review and interpret the results of the online career/college planning.  The ultimate goal is to find the colleges that best match the student’s career interests, academic level and strengths, as well as other intangibles.  Properly positioning the student’s college choices greatly enhances the chances of acceptance at the school of choice with a favorable financial aid package.
  
  
• Submit Your FAFSA and Profile – The FAFSA must be completed if you want to qualify for any financial aid.  Do not minimize the importance of completing this form properly.  Many private schools require the Profile form, which includes additional financial and personal information.  We will determine if you are applying to any Profile schools and, if so, we will file this form for you.
  
  
• Complete Any Institutional Forms – Many schools have their own forms that need to be completed in addition to the ones already mentioned.  We identify all necessary forms and file them for you.
  
  
• Confirm Accuracy of the SAR and Make Adjustments – We will make adjustments to your FAFSA after your tax returns have been filed.  Your participation is to file by the end February of your student’s senior year.
  
  
• Analysis of Financial Aid Awards – We analyze your financial aid awards to determine whether you have been properly awarded.  We also determine if an appeal is in order.
  
  
• Direct Appeals Process – If needed, we will write a letter of appeal addressed to the school’s financial aid office for you to submit.  We will provide you with a hard-copy and an e-copy of our tested negotiation letter, as well as the exact steps to follow when negotiating with the colleges.
  
  
• College Loans – We will consult you on the best college loans available for your situation and the process for securing them.  You will also have access to our own proprietary products.
  
  
• Tax Grant Information – When applicable, we will provide you with tax grant information which will save you thousands of dollars a year.
  
  
• Client-Only Boot Camp – We will allow your student access to our Client-Only “College Admissions application Boot Camp” which will include discussion of admissions requirements, admission essays, selecting the right colleges, how to fill out the different types of admission applications, and what the student should be doing now.
  
  
• Client-Only Events – We will sponsor a client-only event in March/April of your child’s senior year to discuss negotiation strategies, how to read your award letters, what to do if they don’t offer you enough aid, as well as additional tax and budgeting tips to revolve around paying for college. We will provide updates of changes in legislature relating to college tax laws or anything that might affect your financial situation
  
  
• Teleconferences – We will sponsor teleconferences of “what you need to be aware of and/or what you should be doing now” to keep everyone on track.
  
  
• Unlimited Communication – You have direct access to your Representative and your Service Center Consultant.  We also distribute important information and updates via client teleconferences and through the Clients Only section of our website.  We will provide you with unlimited telephone support or in-office meetings; a savings of $150 per hour.