Blog

Should a student take the SAT when most colleges don’t require it?

2026 Data Show College Costs Still Rising: How Families Can Cope If a student is a high school junior hoping to start college in fall 2028, it’s a good time to be thinking about whether they should take the Scholastic Aptitude Test in the spring, since most colleges still say it is “optional.” Despite widespread expectations that colleges would reinstate SAT or ACT scores as a requirement, that hasn’t happened yet. While a few dozen schools are again requiring test scores, a recent analysis by Fair Study found that, at the vast majority of colleges – 86% – they still are optional. Test-optional, however, does not mean test-irrelevant. The COVID pandemic obviously accelerated the test-optional trend because high schools and testing centers were closed. But…

Read More

2026 Data Show College Costs Still Rising: How Families Can Cope

2026 Data Show College Costs Still Rising: How Families Can Cope The latest data on college costs shows that the average one-year cost of attendance has risen to $38,270, which includes tuition, fees, books, living expenses and personal expenses. When parents multiply that number by four, they’re looking at approximately $160,000 for a four-year degree. And that’s just the average. In addition, the admissions landscape has changed significantly, with AI and data analytics playing a greater role. But, there are strategies students and parents can take advantage of to improve the chances of admission and degree completion while not being saddled with years of student loan payments or draining parents’ retirement savings. Click Here To Read The Full Article

Save for College and Reduce the Cost: Asset Structuring Strategies for High-Income Families

I work with high-income professionals like you who have dedicated years of hard work to building assets, securing your family’s future, and providing your children with the best opportunities possible. But when the time comes to look at colleges, I’ve seen the sticker shock families feel when they realize many top-tier institutions now approach or exceed $80,000 per year. The good news is you don’t have to be among the many high-income families paying full retail tuition prices unnecessarily. I don’t want you to mistakenly assume your earnings disqualify you from college financial aid. The reality is much more nuanced. Misunderstanding how schools evaluate your family’s assets can leave substantial institutional funding on the table. I can’t stress this enough: you do not have to…

Read More

Best College Degrees: Top Majors for Salary & Job Growth

Best College Degrees: Top Majors for Salary & Job Growth A college degree can increase your earning potential. In fact, men with a bachelor’s degree earn around $900,000 more in median lifetime earnings than men who stopped at high school, and women with a bachelor’s degree earn around $630,000 more, according to the Social Security Administration. While the general trend is that college graduates earn more, your degree and career path have a big impact on how much you can earn after graduation. This guide explores the highest-paying college degrees, the best degrees for job security, and the degrees that give you the best return on investment. Click Here To Read The Full Article

College Counselor (Contract/Flat-Fee)

About College Planning Experts Are you a passionate educator or counselor who believes every student deserves a clear roadmap to their dream college? College Planning Experts is seeking a dedicated College Counselor to empower families through the complex college planning and admissions process. Our firm exists to ensure no family navigates this journey alone or unprepared: Founder Brian Safdari turned his own heartbreak—losing top university offers and incurring heavy student debt due to a lack of guidance—into a mission that has unlocked $1B+ in funding for over 25,000 families. As a College Counselor, you will go beyond basic guidance to deliver strategic college placement, career planning, and funding alignment, providing families the freedom and clarity to live according to their deepest values. Working alongside our…

Read More

Outreach Specialist/Events

Hybrid, Part- Time, Northridge, CA College Planning Experts is a premier college funding and planning firm dedicated to helping families navigate the complexities of college admissions, financial aid, and strategic funding. Since 2004, we have helped thousands of students gain acceptance to their dream schools and qualify for millions in grants and scholarships, ensuring they graduate career-ready and without crippling debt. We partner with financial advisors to provide comprehensive strategies that empower families to pay for college wisely. The Outreach Specialist  is a dynamic, outgoing, and highly organized professional responsible for establishing and maintaining strategic relationships with local schools, colleges, and community organizations on behalf of College Planning Experts and its affiliated Financial Advisor. This role is crucial for securing public speaking opportunities (seminars, workshops,…

Read More

College Planning Advisor – Life Insurance & Annuity Strategist (Commission/Full-Time)

About Us College Planning Experts is a premier financial services firm dedicated to helping families achieve higher education dreams without sacrificing their long-term financial security. Founded by Brian Safdari, who turned his personal story of losing top college offers and accumulating $53,000 in debt into a life-changing mission, our firm has helped over 25,000 families secure more than $1 Billion in grants and scholarships over the past 20+ years. While college admissions is part of what we do, our advisory team focuses on comprehensive wealth management and advanced college funding strategies. As a Life Insurance & Annuity Strategist, you will help families leverage cash-value life insurance (IUL, Whole Life) and annuities as powerful, tax-advantaged tools. Our mission is to empower parents to fund their children’s…

Read More

2026 Data Show College Costs Still Rising: How Families Can Cope

2026 Data Show College Costs Still Rising: How Families Can Cope NORTHRIDGE, CA, UNITED STATES, August 3, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ — The latest data on college costs shows that the average one-year cost of attendance has risen to $38,270, which includes tuition, fees, books, living expenses and personal expenses. When parents multiply that number by four, they’re looking at approximately $160,000 for a four-year degree. “And that’s just the average,” says Brian Safdari, a Certified College Planning SpecialistTM and CEO of College Planning Experts (www.CollegePlanningExperts.com) in Northridge, California. “The sticker price at private schools cost even higher.” Click Here To Read The Full Article

Federal Direct PLUS Loans: What You Should Know

Federal Direct PLUS Loans: What You Should Know Federal Direct PLUS Loans have long helped students bridge the gap between their awarded federal financial aid and their school’s cost of attendance. That role has narrowed sharply under new rules that took effect in July 2026. Grad PLUS loans are no longer available for new borrowers, and parent PLUS loans now have borrowing limits. Here’s what you need to know about these changes. Click Here To Read The Full Article

How Grandparents Can Help with Financial Planning for College

How Grandparents Can Help with Financial Planning for College It’s wonderful when grandparents want to help out, whether it’s with summer camp, music lessons or college tuition. But if clients who are grandparents feel they have the resources to help out with college expenses and are offering their support, there are ways to optimize their contributions without jeopardizing financial aid. Grandparents tend to be reactive, offering their grandkids money when they have it to give out. Their generosity is heart-warming. When it comes to paying for college, though, a little bit of strategy goes a long way. Click Here To Read The Full Article