The College Planning Guide Families Wish They’d Had Four Years Earlier

What Others Don’t Tell You About College Planning gives you a month-by-month plan from freshman year to move-in day, plus the financial aid and tuition strategies that have saved families an average of $120,000+.

College planning shouldn’t feel like a maze. But for most families, it does.

You hear about FAFSA deadlines after they’ve passed. You find out about scholarships when applications are already closed. You accept the first financial aid offer because no one told you it was negotiable.

None of that is your fault. Most of this information isn’t shared. School counselors are stretched thin, and colleges have no reason to tell you how to pay them less.

This book does.

What This Costs Families

Students who transfer colleges can lose scholarship money they’d already earned.

About 75% of students change majors at least once, often adding time and tuition.

Families who file FAFSA late may miss aid that’s given out first come, first served.

Most families never ask for a better financial aid package, even though many private colleges will negotiate.

A few wrong moves can cost tens of thousands of dollars. A plan costs $39.

What’s Inside

The Year-by-Year Road Map

Month-by-month checklists for 9th, 10th, 11th, and 12th grade. You’ll always know what comes next.

Choosing the Right Major and College

The pros and cons of declaring a major early, how to build a college list based on fit instead of rankings, and why less competitive schools often offer more money.

Admissions Insider Tips

Why “well-rounded” is a myth, how summer activities shape an application, and how to build a resume that gets noticed.

Essays That Stand Out

What to write, what to avoid, and the themes admissions teams look for in both main and supplemental essays.

FAFSA and CSS Profile, Step by Step

Exactly what to gather, how to file, and 13 common mistakes that cost families aid.

Scholarship Strategy

Where to find local and university scholarships, how to research donors, and why the easy no-essay drawings aren’t worth your time.

How to Negotiate Tuition

The two-week window when colleges are most willing to talk, which schools are most likely to say yes, and a sample appeal letter you can adapt.

Student Loans Explained

How federal loans work, the difference between subsidized and unsubsidized, and options for parents.

Ready-to-Use Worksheets

Activity tracker, college cost comparison chart, resume template, and scholarship spreadsheet.

Who This Is For

Parents of high school students who want a clear plan instead of guesswork
Students in 9th–12th grade who want to stand out on applications
Families worried about how they’ll pay for college
Anyone who’s ever thought, “Why didn’t anyone tell us this sooner?”

Starting in freshman year gives you the most options. But whatever grade your student is in, there’s still money and opportunity on the table.

About the Author

Lora Georgieva is a Certified College Planner and the owner of Destination College. Since 2009, she’s helped hundreds of students get into the colleges of their dreams while saving families an average of $120,000+ in grants and scholarships.

She’s a recipient of the 2017 Influential Women in Business Award, has been recognized by a local congressman, and has helped homeless students, refugees, and single moms reach their college goals. This book puts the same guidance she gives private clients into your hands.

What Families Say

“Lora at Destination College was awesome and very helpful in helping us file Financial Aid Appeal and apply for different scholarships... Would definitely recommend Lora for all your college planning.”

— Pavel S.

“Everything from filling the FAFSA, completing college applications, and finding scholarships she can help with it all.”

— Jovany M.

“I wouldn’t be where I am today if it weren’t for them. Highly recommend!”

— Terry T.

The Math

One missed scholarship. One FAFSA error. One financial aid offer accepted without asking for more. Any of these can cost more than this book many times over.

For $39, you get the plan, the timeline, the templates, and the strategies that have helped families save six figures.

FAQ

What grade should my student be in to use this?

Any high school grade. Freshman year is ideal, but each section stands on its own, so juniors and seniors can jump straight to what they need.

Is this only for families who qualify for financial aid?

No. Merit scholarships, tuition negotiation, and smart college selection help families at every income level. Some colleges even require FAFSA before awarding merit money.

Is this a physical book or a digital download?

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What if it’s not for me?

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Dear Future, I’m Ready.

Give your student a head start and your family a plan. Download the free guide today.