Financial Aid Coach

An advocate for families as they navigate the world of financial aid.

Our goals are to take the stress and confusion out of the financial aid process, save families time, and keep money in their pockets by maximizing their financial aid eligibility.

Navigating families through the financial aid process

Services Blaine Blontz offers:

Determine the
Cost of College

Most families only have access to colleges’ total cost, or sticker price. But families have the ability to estimate costs specific to their household. We help families estimate their college costs based on their financial profile and schools’ financial aid process.

Maximize Financial Aid Eligibility

We can review a family’s financial profile to provide recommendations on how to maximize financial aid eligibility. Through this process, we let families know how several variables impact financial aid, and what opportunities they have to improve their eligibility.

Scholarship Research

Once a school list is provided, we generate a list of school-specific scholarships, along with descriptions of the scholarships, application requirements, and deadlines. We can also provide lists of preferred outside scholarships based on the student’s resume and interests.
**Looking for more guidance?**
Check out The Scholarship Formula course!

Review & Complete Financial Aid Applications

We help families submit financial aid forms, including the FAFSA, CSS Profile, SSS, and more. We can review forms prior to submission or help in the completion of forms as needed.

Review Award Letters

Award letters can be confusing. We review awards letters so families can understand exactly what they are being offered.

Negotiate and Appeal for Additional Aid

There are opportunities to increase financial aid awards received by simply going through the process of asking for additional aid. We walk families through the process of negotiating or appealing for additional aid, providing them with what to say and who to say it to.

Provide
Payment Solutions

Once award amounts are received and accepted, the next question is often how to fund the remaining balance. We walk families through the available options, including college loans, alternative loans, payment plans, and more.

Bringing Peace of Mind to Your College Planning

  Blaine Blontz
  Founder & Lead Consultant

Prior to founding Financial Aid Coach, Blaine worked in the financial aid industry as a counselor for students and families for several years at schools including Millersville University, where he completed a degree in education, and La Salle University, where he graduated with his MBA in Finance. In his capacity as a financial aid counselor, Blaine was able to learn the ins and outs of financial aid first-hand. He has developed a network of resources in financial aid, but also in other areas involving the college planning process, including applying to college, tutoring and test prep, college athletic recruiting and more. Given his background and network of resources, Blaine can help families navigate the college planning process, helping lessen the anxiety of preparing for college and connecting them with other great resources in the field.

“Blaine was very attentive. He first spent quite a long time speaking with me on the phone to gather information about what we need and where we were in the process. He then met with us in person for over an hour. This was one of the most productive hours we have ever spent. Blaine spelled out exactly what we needed to do, step by step and paper by paper.”

— A FINANCIAL AID COACH CLIENT