College Planning Information: Financial Aid & Admission Strategies Help You Pay For College Without Going Broke

How  "Forgotten" Middle Class Families  Can Save $5,000-$30,000 Off the Cost of College...

Even if You've Been Told You Won't Qualify for Financial Aid!




If you're the parent of a college-bound student and tossing and turning at night, stressed about how you can possibly afford to send your son or daughter to the college they deserve, the information on this site will help you.

Even if you've been told that you make too much money to qualify for financial aid,  you should attend one of our upcoming workshops, because the so-called "expert" who gave you that advice is likely dead wrong.  Even millionaires can save $30,000 off the cost of college!

Please fill out the short form to receive our most up-to-date workshop schedule - they are free, and 100% sales pitch-free!

Free Community Workshop Schedule and Bonus College Funding "Inside Secrets"

We give our free community college funding workshop, "How to Pay for College Without Going Broke or Raiding What's Left of Your Retirement Savings" two-four times per month.  There is no charge.  Seating is limited due to room size.


Your privacy is safe with us.  We don't share your information with any third party and you can "opt-out" from our communcations at any time.


Some of the topics to be covered in our all-new workshop include:

  • How millionaires can slash their college costs by 20%;
  • The strange reason why an expensive, elite private college can cost you less than a so-called "cheap" state university;
  • The underpublicized, "dirty little secret" about Florida pre-paid and Bright Futures; 
  • How to double your eligibility for free grants and scholarships;
  • An actual tested and proven example of how to increase your financial aid award, even if you think you make too much money! 
  • The "double-secret" formula used to determine how much aid you will receive; 
  • How you stack up compared to your friends, neighbors and co-workers re:  college savings.  (The answer will surprise you!); 
  • How our Recession will affect your son or daughter's education;  and
  • How the advice you've relied on from your CPA, money manager or other "trusted" advisor may actually cost you thousands in lost financial aid!

- "College Pete" and Andy

P.S. You'll also find several other free resources on this site, including a free scholarship search, SAT/ACT tips and our free ebook on college funding "inside secrets."

P.P.S.  Unlike other seminars you may have heard about, there is absolutely no pressure to buy anything.  This is a free community workshop with no strings attached. Yes, of course we're promoting our business, but that's not the real reason we get out nights and weekends, away from our families.  Pete's a former educator and Andy had his own bad experience with student debt ($100K between college and law school.)  We're pretty passionate about getting the word out that there is a better way to pay for college than high-rate, high-fee debt!

P.P.P.S.  Not only is there no "catch," but we even give you  some stuff - a free folder chock full of timely info, a chance to win a copy of our book, Never Pay Retail for College, and a bag full of actual money (yes, it's real, U.S. currency!) No, this is not a joke.  Come check it out!  Chances are, we're appear at a location convenient to you.  Some of our standard locations include:  Weston, Cooper City, Pembroke Pines, Davie, Ft. Lauderdale,  Miami (including Pinecrest and Aventura), Parkland, Boca Raton, Boynton Beach and even online once in a while!


Andrew Lockwood, J.D.

Peter Ratzan, M.B.A.

College Planning Specialists

Florida College Planning News


 

Welcome to our site from Andy

Comments By Your Neighbors


I know Peter and Andy already 3 years. We have two daughters.  I'm really very happy and I wish that I had known them for more and more years.
Vivian Goshen, Weston

June 2009

 

Andrew Lockwood & Peter Ratzan

College Planning Specialists

1825 Main Street

Weston, Fl. 33326

 

Dear Andy and Pete:

 

Now that the college admissions process is over, our daughter has graduated from high school and we are getting ready to take her to college later this summer, it’s time to recognize the extraordinary job you have done for us. At this time last year, we were very concerned about the prospect of out of state tuition. Our dream of sending her to the best school and not just the one we could afford seemed very distant. To complicate matters, our daughter was vacillating on her major, the location of the school and its size – she had many doubts and we had few answers.     

 

However, from the very beginning of the process, you encouraged us to remain positive about her prospects and as soon as you started working, she became more focused on the best fit rather than what she had heard from school advisors or friends. In a way, she was eliminating options and honing in on what she really was looking for in a school. At the same time, we reviewed our financial situation and you encouraged us to be positive about the out of state options.

 

Her long and incongruent “wish list” quickly evolved into ten schools – three in state and seven out with a balance of a few “back ups”, the core choices and one stretch school. She was confident and focused as she plunged into the applications. With your guidance, she wrote some terrific essays and completed all ten on time. While all of this was going on you magically expedited the  FAFSA and other financial paperwork to all the schools taking that burden and administrative nightmare off our shoulders.   

 

The proof of your program was she was accepted at seven Top 100 schools four of which were out of state, waitlisted at two out of states and was only declined at the “stretch” school, Georgetown. As it turned out, the first school to reply was the one she finally chose but that was only decided once we had all the offers in hand. Every single school made very generous scholarship offers and we ended up choosing at Top 30 school that offered 95% of the total cost of attendance, 70% of which was free money!

 

We look forward to the next 4 years and our next child knowing that we have the College Planners on our team. Thanks again, Andy and Pete – it has been a pleasure working with you.

 

Regards,

 

Happy Parents

Weston, Fl.



I have two children, my son who's named is Paul he is 17 and I have a daughter named Erica who's 14. I'll definitely recommend College Planning Specialist for a couple of reasons…they helped me get organized because the college process of admitting and financial aid is a difficult process, once your thrown in there, you don't know what you're doing. It's confusing. So, the benefits I've found with Andy's thing is getting organized, one is filling out the applications, the essay for my children, and then most importantly is the financial aid. Helping us with the whole process and how to redirect and reinvest our money. I'm definitely recommending them and I'm very happy with Andy and Peter, these guys treated us and welcomed us into their family. We're very happy and right now… they are very supportive and I’m glad to refer. 
Paul Marcello, Pembroke Pines

"My son is seriously happy with his school choice. He had a very specific vision for a particular program that he was looking to pursue. We spent hours on the internet searching for his program of interest. He never would have learned about Colorado State's landscape architecture program if it hadn't been for the team at College Planning. He has real hope and excitement now for his future  and is very motivated to succeed in his college experience.....seeing that hope and enthusiasm....that alone was worth the investment."

Sincerely, Jan Lyon



When I first came to College Planning, I had no idea how they can actually help me save money and assist me with my child's education. Having a daughter that graduated, at 25 with a master’s, I have a phenomenal bill left to solve at the end of her schooling.  I figured there's has to be a better way.

To come into College Planning was definitely a better way to go for me. They’ve assisted me in a phenomenal way of saving money. And the future of my 2 other children, that are attending college, and I can't thank them enough.

Carol Margolis, Weston


“I attended their workshop on how to get through college without going broke. Working with them was the best decision I ever made!” - Martha Salas, Miami (Received college planning advice for her daughter, Marissa.)

"Your information is just what we needed.  I can't even get my guidance counselor to call me back - I've tried four times!"  -  Coral Springs mom

It was very clear and the tips very helpful.

- Maria Babugua, Weston

November 20, 2008



Hi, I met Peter at my church. And when I heard the story about and learning about scholarships, learning how to pay for school, I had to get into their program to understand what it was because my son was getting ready to go to college.

When we went to college or when I went to college, it was not as difficult to get financial aid, and navigate the schools that you need to go to. Today, it's very difficult, and I'm very happy that I participated in the program. 

It gave me peace of mind with this idea that I had somebody that I can turn to when I had questions and there were very good answers that I got.

My son felt really confident. And the answers he got … he had nerve and anxiety about which school to choose, what program to select, and they walked him through all of this which made it very, very worthwhile to be a part of the family.

I really, really think that you should take time to take a look at college planning, because they money that they save you is worth what you pay for them. It is amazing what I've learned from them, and continue to learn from them because of the support that they give to my son and I. So I really appreciate it, Peter and Andy. So I thank you guys.


The information opened my eyes that I've never thought about.  The presentation was relaxed and non-threatening.  Thank you!

-Parent Attending Sept. 20th Workshop

Cooper City


I liked the informal manner of the presentation.   

- Terence Goodwin, Pembroke Pines


“I told them 'I don’t want to play games with my money or get some extra bill in the future.' They promised I would get back five times what I invested for the service. They were true to their word.”
 - Debbie and Terry Cooney, Davie
 
(Received college planning advice for their two sons, Shane and Shaun.  Terry also appeared (voluntarily!) on our St. Patrick's Day radio show as a leprechun!)