The “student lending crisis” will cause tens of thousands of college-bound students to scramble for college funding and could prevent an unknown number of college students from completing their studies.

Harrisonburg, VA -- (ReleaseWire) -- 01/12/2009 -- The "student lending crisis" will cause tens of thousands of college-bound students to scramble for college funding and could prevent an unknown number of college students from completing their studies.

"This is a tragedy," says Mark Maiewski, a Harrisonburg-based college planner who has devoted his life to helping parents send their students to college without going broke. Maiewski is as outraged as any parent; however, he is determined to help as many families as possible weather the storm.

"It's shocking that so many parents won't even be able to borrow money for their kids to go to school in the next few years. So many good students won't be able to go and countless students will have to drop out, unless they know the tuition reduction secrets that the universities don't want given out," says Maiewski, a leading expert on planning for college. "It's not even a matter of getting the best interest rate.it's getting ANY money for school at all these days. Parents need to know that college can still be affordable, if they learn the inside secrets to getting as much free money as possible so they don't go broke or sacrifice their retirement savings."

According to Maiewski, more than 50% of all eligible parents don't even bother applying for financial aid, mostly because they think they make too much money to qualify. Mark regularly teaches parents legal ways to double or triple eligibility for free grant money, even if they make a "six figure" income; how to determine if a school will be affordable, regardless of its sticker price; and how to make sure that their family can afford to send their child to college, even if their neighbors can't.

Maiewski is an entertaining and insightful guest and resource for any media, and can inspire an audience with insider tips and information that most families never know about. Maiewski owns College Funding Advisors, LLC, a college planning consulting firm in Harrisonburg. You can schedule an interview on this important subject by calling Mark Maiewski at 540-433-8444.

For workshop schedules and other college planning information, visit:

http://collegeplanningsuccess.com

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Amidst a student loan crisis and state budget challenges, controversial Virginia college planner reveals “inside secrets” on how to save $5,500-$45,500 in college costs...per year!.

Harrisonburg, VA -- (ReleaseWire) -- 11/17/2008 -- Despite daily, gloomy stories about public university budget cuts and the student loan crisis, a local authority on college funding shows parents how to save tens of thousands of dollars off college costs, even if they've been told that they make too much money for financial aid.

"One of the most pervasive myths is that parents making six-figure incomes should not bother applying for financial aid," says Mark Maiewski, of College Funding Advisors, LLC in Harrisonburg. "Unfortunately, about 53% of eligible families never even bother applying for financial aid! And there's a ton of aid to be had – about $137 Billion. And much of that is grants and scholarships - free money that never has to be paid back!"

Another surprise – it can be cheaper to attend an "expensive," prestigious, private college compared to the "cheaper," local public university. "The reason is that the private schools have more money to give by way of their endowments. We show this to parents on a daily basis," said Maiewski. "Given what's happening in Virginia's universities, out of state private colleges are becoming an increasingly attractive option for parents concerned about giving their children the best education possible. The trick is to understand which colleges award the best aid packages, how to position your finances to receive the maximum amount of aid you're eligible for and how to get into these colleges!"

Maiewski will host free workshops on these and other college planning "inside secrets" this month in the Harrisonburg area:

More details and an updated workshop schedule are available at: http://collegeplanningsuccess.com

Families of college-bound freshmen, sophomores and juniors should pre-register on the website or by calling 540-433-8444. Pre-registration is mandatory as the workshops are frequently overbooked.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm