College Financial Prep

10/16/2026

Should your teenager know how much college really costs? 🎓

I'm working with more and more families earning $300,000, $500,000, even $600,000+ annually who are struggling with the prospect of paying $90,000–$100,000 per year for college.

And when two children are heading to college at the same time? The numbers can be staggering!

Here's something I believe strongly:
Teenagers should be part of the college money conversation.

That doesn't mean sharing your income, savings, or other personal financial information.

But consider this:
🎓 College A costs $95,000 per year.
🎓 College B costs $50,000 per year after scholarships.

That's a potential difference of $180,000 over four years for ONE child!

Shouldn't students understand that before making their final decision?

Not every college offers merit scholarships. Not every family qualifies for need-based financial aid.

And sometimes the greatest value of college financial planning isn't finding more money. It's understanding your options before making one of the largest financial commitments your family may ever face.

Have you spoken with your teenager about what you're comfortable spending on college? Or do you prefer to keep those conversations between the parents?

Read more on the topic here at: https://www.collegefinancialprep.com/blog/blog-talking-to-teens-about-college-costs

Should your teenager know what college costs? Learn how to discuss college affordability, scholarships, and financial decisions as a family.

10/14/2026

Love when a longtime friend from Dear Divorce Coach shows me how I popped up in her Google Alerts!

Thank you, Cherie Morris and thank you, Newsday for another article on "How LI families can save thousands on college costs."

https://www.newsday.com/business/how-to-save-money-college-costs-ifqzf1tj

With applications open for state and federal aid for the 2027-28 academic year, experts offer tips on how to minimize student loan debt.

10/06/2026

A little exciting news! 😊

I’m thrilled to be featured in Newsday ’s LI Business section in the October 4 article, “College Cost Squeeze,” including a photo I definitely wasn’t expecting to see quite that large! 😊

I had the opportunity to share my perspective on the rising cost of college and what families can do to strategically reduce costs and minimize their expenses.

Thank you, Newsday, for including me in this important conversation!

09/30/2026

When should you start thinking about the financial side of college?

Before you complete FAFSA or CSS Profile.

If your child is in 10th grade, this is a good time to understand how your income, assets, savings and family situation may affect financial aid and whether there are steps you should consider now.

If your child is in 11th grade, it’s time to start considering colleges through a financial lens. What might these schools actually cost your family? Where might merit aid be available? Are there financial reaches and financial safeties to add to your college list?

And if your child is in 12th grade, the questions become very real: FAFSA, CSS Profile, scholarships, special circumstances, financial aid offers, appeals and eventually...how are we going to pay the bill?

College financial planning isn’t one form you complete senior year.

It’s a series of financial decisions along the way.

College financial strategy for families when the answer isn’t simple.

Visit: www.CollegeFinancialPrep.com or, if separated or divorced, visit www.CollegeFinancialPrep.com/Divorce

09/24/2026

You asked… so I’m doing it! 🎓

I’ve had parents ask me to offer another FREE workshop on how to save money on the cost of college, so I added one for TONIGHT!

👉 Register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/2llRbwb_RyW74oGj62gxyA

We’ll talk about FAFSA, the CSS Profile, financial aid, merit scholarships, building an affordable college list, appeals, paying for college without taking on unnecessary debt — and more.

And bring your questions! I’ll leave time for live Q&A.

This is especially timely for Class of 2027 families, but parents of younger high school students are absolutely welcome.

Can’t attend live? Register and you’ll receive the replay.

👉 Register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/2llRbwb_RyW74oGj62gxyA

Hope to see you tonight!

09/23/2026

I love what I do and the families I get to help. ❤️

And then I receive an email like this… and it absolutely makes my day.

This mom first reached out to me in 2025, feeling overwhelmed by financial aid AND trying to navigate college planning with a difficult former spouse.

Today, her daughter is thriving at Skidmore. ❤️

She wrote:

“I remember so well when I first spoke to you in 2025, and what immediate relief I felt.

Your well-explained plan, the organization you provided, and your constant support meant so much to me...

You also helped me to understand the very challenging process of financial aid and scholarships. That I could turn over so many tasks to you was an immense relief!”

THIS is why I do what I do.

College planning can be stressful enough. Add divorce, two households, FAFSA, CSS Profile, financial aid, scholarships and communication with a former spouse — and it can quickly become overwhelming.

Sometimes parents don't just need answers. They need someone in their corner helping them figure out what comes next.

It's also why I created my Divorce & College Planning community, an affordable way for separated, divorced and widowed parents to have ongoing guidance throughout the college planning years.

If you or someone you know could use this kind of support, check this out: https://www.collegefinancialprep.com/divorce-college-planning-community

And to this mom — thank you. Your email truly made my day. ❤️

09/18/2026

Hi Everyone! This is specifically for the separated and divorced parents here.

I’ve been getting lots of questions about FAFSA, CSS Profile, which parent files, financial aid and paying for college, so I’ve decided to create my first Divorce & College Planning: Senior Year Support group.

We’ll meet live on Zoom one Sunday evening each month at 7 PM ET, starting Sunday, September 27, to talk about what you need to know right now plus plenty of time for Q&A.

It’s $199 for the entire senior year and includes replays, resources, my book "College Planning For Divorced & Widowed Parents" plus 20% off 1:1 Strategy Sessions.

If this would be helpful, click the link here to learn more. And feel free to ask me any questions! https://www.collegefinancialprep.com/divorce-college-planning-community

Monthly live guidance for divorced and separated parents of Class of 2027 students. Get help navigating FAFSA, CSS Profile, scholarships, financial aid offers, appeals and paying for college. Includes live Q&A, replays, helpful resources, the book College Planning For Divorced & Widowed Pare...

09/14/2026

If you have a child heading to college, one of the biggest questions is usually:

How are we going to pay for all of this?

On Wednesday, September 16 at 12 PM ET, I’ll be presenting a FREE workshop with Fresh Starts Registry:

🎓 How to Save Money on the Cost of College: Financial Aid & College Planning Strategies Every Family Should Know

I’ll share practical strategies married families, divorced families, widowed families, and more can use to better understand college costs, financial aid, scholarships and how the colleges on your child’s list can have a huge impact on what you ultimately pay.

This is for all parents, no matter if college is right around the corner or still a few years away.

You can attend live or register to receive the replay.

I hope you’ll join me and please feel free to share this with another parent who may find it helpful. ❤️

https://www.freshstartsregistry.com/public-event/how-to-save-money-on-the-cost-of-college-financial-aid-college-planning-strategies-every-family-should-know

Also visit www.CollegeFinancialPrep.com to learn more about our work.

Vicki Vollweiler, Divorce & College Planning Expert is joining Fresh Starts to host: How to Save Money on the Cost of College: Financial Aid & College Planning Strategies Every Family Should Know on Wednesday, September 16 at 12:00 PM EST EST. Learn more and sign up HERE !

09/10/2026

One of my favorite parts of my work is helping parents and families understand what colleges may actually cost, before they get too far down the road.

I received this Google review today:

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

“Vicki is a wealth of knowledge! She impressed me within the first few minutes of talking with her. She was able to help me figure out estimated costs of the colleges my child is interested in so we can make educated decisions.”

This is exactly why I encourage families to look at the financial side of college planning before applications and acceptances.

A college's published price isn't necessarily what your family will pay. And two colleges with similar sticker prices can end up costing your family very different amounts.

The goal is to know more now, so you can make educated decisions later.

Visit www.CollegeFinancialPrep.com and schedule a free 10 minute call to learn how we can help you save money on the cost of college.